Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation. It is comprehensive as usual. I wish to consider the Indecon report and what has been done since. There was a long period during which the report was not published. However, notwithstanding it not being published, a fair amount was still known about what might be in it. I refer in particular to the context of governance structures. Has attention been paid to the recommendations pertaining to governance structures? I refer especially to the appointment of additional non-executive directors. Has the IHRA set about the establishment of the five sub-committees? The various aspects of welfare and integrity and stakeholders are all very important, as is an audit and risk committee . In terms of public moneys, as the IHRA will appreciate, it is important that all those elements are in place. We have no doubt that the IHRA is deeply committed and very professional in its outlook. We also have no doubt, from our interactions and representations even today, that the IHRA will ensure full compliance with all of the technical, health and safety, audit and risk and various other requirements associated with sport. We have had other sporting participants where we have had to ensure that various legislation is amended to bring them up to speed.

The critical point, as noted by Senator Mac Lochlainn, is whether the IHRA is being coy about indicating what level of seed funding is required in the context of the recommendation of the Indecon report. Can the IHRA say we need €300,000 or €500,000 or whatever it is? It has been indicated that a certain level of seed funding would be forthcoming and that would be subject to evaluation to see how things are getting on. While we may never be at the French level, in the context of our population, for the IHRA to take off, grow and develop, what is needed to attract bigger attendances?

How many races have taken place in 2017 in Ireland? There were 11,000 or 12,000 in France but how many can we showcase to ensure that opportunities for expansion and growth are going to be available? Prize money is a big issue and the witnesses have spoken of parimutuel betting and the potential income streams that arise from that. Can that be explained in more detail?

Facilities for racing are important. As the witnesses said, two years ago we were on a committee that made recommendations and probably opened the door slightly ajar for them to get through. How are things going at that level in respect of racecourses? Dundalk was important but is any other racecourse now becoming more amenable to the IHRA proposals? In regard to the potential for television coverage, where does that fit in? What level of income and media rights are associated with this particular sport? Is it the equivalent of what is available at the Horse Racing Ireland level in terms of the ordinary courses across the country?

A breeding programme has been initiated. Could the potential numbers involved and the opportunity to expand significantly be outlined? There is a diversionary programme, as I call it, for road racing, which is important. It takes people off the roads and away from the dangers associated with that. Some moneys have been invested in getting that up and running. The crucial question for us is what level of investment is required to ensure that harness racing reaches its potential? That is important. The first step is establishing what level of seed funding is required.

Does the IHRA attract sponsorship for racing and if so, to what level?