Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have scrutinised those facts and I accept them. What is the Department's view on selling the asset that is the Harold's Cross racetrack?

The Minister mentioned the increase in funding, which is bringing it back to 2007-08 levels. Ultimately, every Department has an obligation to provide value for money for the taxpayer for every euro that is allocated through the Exchequer. That is about providing efficiency, effectiveness, economy and equity. What value-for-money audits have been carried out of the money that has been transferred to the IGB under the fund? Has the Department carried out any such audits and, if not, why not?

As for the steps to improve commercial outcomes, this is closely linked to the overall value for money issue because for any organisation to utilise its potential, basically the relationship between efficiency and effectiveness is the realisation of the outcomes in the financial sense. What has been done to realise the potential outcomes, set goals or objectives of this organisation? What has been done and what oversight has taken place from a departmental point of view? If this has not happened, members will have an opportunity to liaise with the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, and the stakeholders today and can ask some of these questions. I welcome the Minister of State's contribution on the new board appointments through the Public Appointments Service, which is the right way to go. On the five board vacancies, I agree on the need for expertise in finance, marketing, the greyhound industry and a youth role. What about independence and objectivity? Does the Minister believe there is a need for the provision of objectivity and independence in respect of the board? What if there are vested interests within a board such as, for example, if the board is responsible for drug testing at various tracks and the board members also are responsible for the strategy on drug testing and regulation? Is that independent or objective and does that meet the standards as set down under corporate governance in an international sense, as set out by the OECD? I seek the Minister of State's thoughts in this regard. The Minister of State mentioned risk management and the internal and external audits and perhaps the joint committee can talk to the Irish Greyhound Board about that subject.

I will sum up with a point on the drugs issue, which the Minister of State mentioned. The drugs issue, that is, prohibited substances in greyhound racing in Ireland, has been a huge issue. It may be that only a small minority have been involved in drugging dogs for performance and financial gain but it is wrong and the vast majority of breeders would not entertain it. This must be stamped out and the best international standards for testing must be implemented. What is the Department's view on the testing regime that is in place at present? I revert to my previous point on the independence of those who are undertaking such tests. I am more familiar with this issue from the perspective of athletics, whereby athletes are tested by the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA. The federation concerned, Athletics Ireland, has nothing to do it and the testing is done totally at arm's length. I personally have been tested and am familiar with how it is done. It is far removed from the governing bodies and when questions are being asked, there also is a need to bring such objectivity into this sector. A lot more could be asked but I will leave it at that and there may be an opportunity-----