Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the presentations from Horse Racing Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland.

I also compliment HRI on its national and international achievements in recent years. It is a wonderful example of the strength of the industry in Ireland and how it is being promoted here and abroad. It has been a wonderful success story for Ireland and has been appropriately supported by the taxpayer. It is from the latter perspective that this joint committee has an overriding responsibility in examining what is the position. I come from west Cork, which anyone would admit is not the most premier thoroughbred area, but it has a strong horse harness racing tradition. As has been outlined well before the joint committee, the two sports are like chalk and cheese. They are different animals, sports, bodies and organisations and are as different from each other as football is from tennis, were one to use a sporting analogy. From that point of view, there obviously is some reason this issue is being discussed before an Oireachtas joint committee. The Irish Harness Racing Association, IHRA, has been trying for some time to improve the sport's integrity, funding and prize money, and has been working in association with French sporting organisations to that end. Moreover, the French have invested in Ireland in support of the IHRA in its endeavours.

Although there should not be a conflict between the thoroughbred industry and the standard-bred horse racing sector, somewhere there is, and at this meeting I am particularly keen to find out a couple of things through the Chair. I can understand the issue of cross-contamination in terms of how there would be separation of animals at a meeting or a stadium. I also take the point made by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien about animals going from one side of a farm to another, but that may not always happen. It may not be the best practice in every landholding or farm on which thoroughbred animals are being born and bred. Consequently, while I understand that cross-contamination is an issue, it is not an issue everywhere. The case stands that in France, for example, trotting and thoroughbred meetings take place over the same courses, quite often on the same day and I believe sometimes on the same card. When horses travel to France, do they suddenly become immune from contamination? Alternatively, does Horse Racing Ireland suggest that this is a global best practice and we are so far ahead that we know what is best? I do not believe the IHRA is seeking this. From what I have heard, the association's ultimate aim is not even to seek access to stadiums or courses; it is looking for its own place or home. In the interim, however, it seeks to develop harness racing to that position. I note the comment in the presentation from Horse Racing Ireland to the effect that it supports, encourages or agrees, and that appears to be the view of HRI. If this is the case - I take it at face value - then why are members here?