Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the gentlemen for their presentation. I did not realise the extent of harness racing across the world until I read the presentation today and listened to the witnesses. It is very interesting. When one considers that France and Australia support the development of harness racing in Ireland but the Irish Government does not, it conveys a damning picture regarding the powers-that-be in this country and what appears to be the potential for a vibrant and well-followed sport.

Do the witnesses have direct contact with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or is everything directed through Horse Racing Ireland? If they have contact with the Department, what type of response are they getting on this matter? Horse Racing Ireland has the remit to develop the entire horse industry across the country, so it should treat everybody equally and seek to foster and grow all horse-related activities. That is vital.

The tracks must be all-weather tracks and Dundalk is one such track. How many of the tracks in the country would be suitable for harness racing at present? If the development of new tracks would be required to develop the sport, the witnesses would be on a loser from the start due to the financial constraints.

Also, with regard to the road racing that has been mentioned by other members, does the IHRA have any contacts with the road racing community or has it spoken to its members about how it could assist or, perhaps, bring them on board, or is it too early in its development for that to happen? I believe it would be worthwhile and would make sense, given that a witness spoke about the final race on the card being for amateurs and open to people to enter and test themselves.

Overall, the industry appears to be positive and is one that should be supported. I look forward to the responses to our questions.