Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and his officials.

I shall continue with the discussion on the Irish Harness Racing Association. There seems to be considerable opportunity to develop the sport. I support the calls for the Department to provide seed funding if at all possible. I know it is not easy for the Minister to provide everything that people want. I have witnessed a rise in the number of sulky racers on roads in my area and, therefore, believe it would be worthwhile to investigate the potential of the industry. There is great opportunity to advance the sector, particularly in rural areas.

In terms of greyhound racing, everyone has confessed their connections to the sector. I wish to confirm that my father kept greyhounds years ago. It was always a pursuit that we loved as children. We walked the dogs and brought them to the bog for a walk. Unfortunately, my Dad did not enjoy great success with them but his children immensely enjoyed caring for the dogs. Let us not forget the family aspect of keeping greyhounds, particularly in rural Ireland. I support the calls to increase funding to the sector.

In terms of betting tax, I was a member of the Oireachtas joint committee on justice when we conducted pre-legislative scrutiny concerning the matter. I wish the Minister well with trying to get the Department of Finance to ring-fence anything because I know it is not an easy thing to do. I have discovered a new term "hypothecation."