Mr. Brian Kavanagh:

No, Deputy. That is not correct. I do not believe the decision was celebrated throughout the industry. I mentioned earlier that there is 99% compliance, that is a levy was paid for 8,400 out of 8,500 foals.

As regards the specific amount that was spent on the court proceedings, one must bear in mind the Horse Racing Ireland had made every effort to resolve this before it went to court - and I will not say any more than that - but the costs that were incurred, I do not have the exact figure but I will get it for the Deputy, were not as the Deputy described. We used a small local firm of solicitors; our solicitor was Cairbre Finan of Wilkinson & Price and we had a junior counsel for one day. The idea that we would participate in a case stated to the Supreme Court on a levy on which there is 99% compliance and would then base a future levy on the actual stud fee rather than what is deemed to be the fee, generally applicable on the 14 February of a particular year, which the current legislation would require, makes no sense.

There are significant legal costs in taking a case to the Supreme Court. It would require the chief financial officer, Ms Suzanne Eade, to take on two or three extra people in her department to administer it. I do not think that would be an efficient use of money.