Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the two gentlemen and thank them for a comprehensive and passionate presentation. Their passion for this sport and industry could never be questioned. The witnesses have already mentioned what I wanted to address. I raised it during the debate in the Seanad on the horse and greyhound fund. The five-year strategic plan seems to be a precondition before the Minister budges on any funding. The witnesses have said this is a work in progress and it is not yet complete. How close is it to completion and have the witnesses kept the Department informed of their progress? Has there been feedback on the work done to date?

If the association received the funding and was in a position to start implementing its fantastic plans, how big could this become? I am looking at this from an industry perspective, taking in riders or drivers - whatever is the professional term - and training yards etc. How far down the line do the witnesses see this before it can be compared with the horse racing business, where we have some of the best professional jockeys in the world and the best international training yards and stables? If the association got all its financial wishes, including the seed funding and annual government funding, how long would it be before we become a big player on the international scene in harness racing?