Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Since I came to this House in 2002, I have fully recognised the contribution of both horse racing and greyhound racing to rural communities, particularly greyhound racing, which is very prominent in my area. I have always argued that the share of the pot for greyhound racing was significantly smaller than the allocation to Horse Racing Ireland. A sum of €963,990,000 – almost €1 billion - has been allocated since 2001, which is a huge amount of money. Despite misgivings at times, I have always supported it because of the number of jobs involved and the fund’s contribution to the social fabric of communities. I have been involved for the past 12 months with the Irish Harness Racing Association to get a facility to hold an event. Eventually, an event was held in Dundalk racecourse. I speculate that it came about due to the intervention of the Minister. I hope that is the case. If what I have heard is accurate, the treatment of harness racing by Horse Racing Ireland and the influence it has brought to bear on privately owned racetracks around the country to prevent harness racing events from taking place is a disgrace, to put it mildly.

I have had sight of a letter outlining a number of reasons for HRI's opposition to harness racing events. One is a legitimate reason, namely, that it had to be satisfied regarding the health and safety of the animals, particularly in terms of disease control. Another reason referred to the fact that harness racing is in competition with horse racing. There is not one cent involved. I understand an application was made for a small amount of funding prior to the event in Dundalk but the request was not acceded to. I note that a figure of €52.2 million was allocated to Horse Racing Ireland. I do not have any problem with the greyhound sector because I know how valuable it is. Not one cent is being made available for harness racing. Many would argue that it is a question of status. I hope that is not the case. I support the position adopted by Deputy Ó Cuív. I cannot vote for the regulation before us. I have never voted against it on any previous occasion but I cannot vote for it until I have had the opportunity to question Horse Racing Ireland and to challenge it on its intervention to prevent harness racing from taking place. To do so would be to accept inequality, and I will not go down that road.