Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is. More succinctly, I note that hunter registration has an important integrity role. That has been overlooked in the debate, although not purposely. It should continue to be done by the National Hunt committee. I appeal to the Minister to look at the issue with the parliamentary draftspeople. I accept that the money will be paid through the HRI at the end of the process and go back. I have no problem with that. It will be like a circular board and land back where it was meant to go. However, I understand the Turf Club made a recommendation to the Minister some weeks ago about the Smith and Williamson recommendation he wants to implement. The Turf Club says the same thing can be accommodated and achieved while allowing the Irish National Hunt steeplechase, INHS, committee to issue and register hunt certificates and carry out the integrity checks regarding passports, flu vaccinations, the qualifications of horses and verification. That can all be achieved if the Minister looks at it again. We have not divided as a committee and are trying to work through this with the best interests of the horse racing industry at heart. I appeal to the Minister to reconsider the matter again while accepting that this is a step forward from where the Bill originally started. I am glad it is there but I appeal to the Minister, strongly and wholeheartedly, in respect of the other aspect of the matters I have raised, particularly the importance of the integrity role hunter registration plays.