Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That brings me to my next question, which is on sponsorship and prize money. When I asked this question the last time Bord na gCon was before the committee, it gave a commitment. Due to the debt hanging over the board, prize money had dropped to €1.5 million. My figures could be wrong but prize money definitely decreased. Having been brought up around greyhounds, I know that the name of the game is the prize money. What keeps people in racing is the few bob they can make from wins. The last time Bord na gCon was before the committee, it spoke of getting prize money back up to at least €3 million in the short term. Prize money of €10 million was available ten years ago when times were good. What is the position now? We all know that prize money is what keeps the industry alive and ensures the ordinary punter who races bitches gets a few bob back. It is very important that the prize money available is increased because it would be one way to keep the 16 tracks open and viable and ensure the future of the greyhound industry.