Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the representatives from federation for taking the time to attend. Their members are the volunteers in the industry and they are the key stakeholders because without breeders one does not have an industry. This is an important issue and one which our committee can play a part in resolving. The concerns expressed by the federation are at the cutting edge of moving the sector forward, developing it and bringing new life to it. How do we do that? What are the representatives' views on the current structure of the greyhound sector in Ireland, including the relationship between the stakeholders, namely, the Department, the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation? Is the relationship a structured one? Are there, for example, monthly or quarterly meetings involving the Irish Greyhound Board and the federation? If not, why?

What input has the federation been asked for on the question of the improved financial performance of the organisation? The Indecon report has now been published. It is an excellent document and contains excellent recommendations but, ultimately, those recommendations and the objectives behind them will only prove fruitful if there is stakeholder input, a fact recognised by Indecon in its points about communication. Has communication improved since the publication of the report? If an organisation, be it a company, a State body or a semi-State entity, does not have good communications, it is very difficult to move things forward.

Deputy Heydon mentioned the decline in breeders over the past ten years or so, which has been stark. How can that be changed? Is there any way the drop of some 42.5% in breeding in that period can be arrested or reversed? Can we entice new breeders into the industry? Can the current breeders improve things? Do the breeders feel they are being given adequate support?

On the financial status of the organisation, in our discussion with the Minister we heard about an inherited debt of €22 million as a result of bad investment decisions, which is having a very negative impact on the current operations of the greyhound industry in Ireland. One proposal to tackle it is the disposal of assets such as Harold's Cross race track. Is that a good idea? Do the witnesses have any alternative suggestions? Have they been asked to bring forward any alternative suggestions?

What impact is the drugs issue having on greyhound breeding and on the sector in general? Are our tests up to the required standard? A presentation by the Minister in the Seanad, some 18 months ago, outlined that the Limerick laboratory facility was using the Australian model in testing for stanozolol. However, it was only able to test for water-based stanozolol and not oil-based stanozolol. That would allow individuals who are inclined to drug their dogs to circumvent the testing system by using oil-based stanozolol products to improve the performance of their dogs. I believe there is a new laboratory in Newmarket in England which can test for oil-based stanozolol.

A control committee was put in place in the IGB following the recommendations of the Dalton report in 2005 or 2006. Has the federation, an organisation elected by breeders, been asked for its views on the drug-testing system? Drugs cast a shadow over the greyhound industry in Ireland and would cast a shadow over any sport. Other sports have to face the challenge of dealing with drugs in the most robust manner possible. Is that the case here? Is the approach robust enough to meet the challenge and tackle those who flout the rules?

Witnesses spoke about the stadia and attendances and reference was made to the television opportunities that might arise. What level of engagement has taken place around increasing capacity at stadia and on television rights for the sector? Has there been any collaboration on these matters? Do the witnesses have any suggestions of what we could propose, as a committee, to improve communications? What would be sufficient to improve communications and how could we go about it? The industry is too important to let slip and slide. We have to improve communications because if one is not talking to one's stakeholders how can one go forward?