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

Two harness meetings took place in Dundalk in 2008. They were negotiated directly with the Dundalk racecourse. The IHRA received a positive response from the thoroughbred industry observers who were present, including the independents from the Turf Club. Between 2008 and 27 September 2015, however, every effort that the IHRA made to hold a meeting at that track was thwarted by HRI. I do not say this lightly, Mr. Kavanagh. I concur with everyone regarding the protection of the thoroughbred industry. I have no problem with that. As a legislator, however, I cannot treat one section differently than another. I would not be associated with that. To deny the IHRA the opportunity of running meetings in Dundalk or anywhere else when such meetings do not collide with thoroughbred racing because they are run on separate dates is unreasonable. Obviously, the IHRA's reasonable request fell on deaf ears. Last June, HRI refused it again. The IHRA had to address us and, by so doing, inform us of the situation. In turn, we had to raise it with the Minister. To his credit, an event was held on 27 September.

I understand that the two meetings in 2008 were inspected by vets and everything was done according to plan. The meeting on 27 September was inspected and again complied with the veterinary requirements. The IHRA is prepared to comply with inspections of its stables and so forth. HRI must comply with the legislation that enacts it as well as with the expectations of equality placed on it by legislators. This is the reason for my point. There must be equality. In good conscience, I cannot be associated with inequality. That is why I made my comments on funding.