Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, and thank him for his report. It is well known that I am chairman of Kilbeggan Racecourse, which is one of the small racecourses. As I am heavily involved, I am very much aware of how important this fund is for the sustainability of the smaller tracks and training yards that generate employment and create income in rural areas. The Minister states that one must speculate to accumulate. The investment of €80 million in the industry returns to the State almost threefold. With that in mind, I would be touting for an increase in what is being spent on the industries in order to drive them forward and bring them on to the next level. There is an old saying that the day one stops going forward is the day that one starts going back.

The Minister also referred to the betting tax and the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015. The gap was almost bridged by a €51 million intake in 2016 as opposed to an output of €80 million. I would like to know why the rates of turnover tax for offshore and online betting were not considered in the 2017 budget. This would bring us up to - and would probably surpass - the €80 million and the additional moneys could be reinvested in the industry as per the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. I know that the tax rate in France is far higher and that all the money taken in is reinvested in the industry at no net cost to the state. I would like to hear the Minister's views on the possibility of bridging the gap and increasing the spend through increased taxation.

Horse racing comes under agriculture, hence the Minister's presence this evening. I would like to hear the Minister's opinions, if possible, on the aspects of horse racing that do not fall under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I refer to a number of ongoing issues, namely, those relating to employment law and the rates revaluation. Employment in horse racing is categorised as not relating to agriculture. Where does the agricultural designation of horse racing stop and start?