Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. There is a binding arbitration process if either side is unhappy with the outcome of the budgetary discussion, although it has never been used. The budget for the racing regulatory body and the Turf Club has increased significantly this year and last year. The role of the racing regulatory body is vital to racing into the future, given that in the industry, if one does not have integrity, one has nothing. In the betting industry there is a need for proper, robust integrity services. The racing regulatory body and the Turf Club need to funded properly to do this job. It also needs to make its case for funding and this needs to be transparent. There must be a process to ensure it is being done with a sense of value for money, which it is. We also receive much voluntary support and activity through the Turf Club. We have a good structure for the administration of racing and integrity services. It has proven itself. However, we must constantly examine it, modernise and ensure we have the right accountability, transparency and efficiency structures. This is what the discussion between the Turf Club and HRI will be about in terms of getting the funding it needs to do the job. In case it breaks down, we have an arbitration process and body to ensure there is an outcome that takes account of all the factors.