Mr. Gerard Dollard:

A great deal has happened in the welfare area down the years, but that story has not got out there. Microchipping for racing greyhounds was introduced in 2016. New regulations were introduced regarding drug testing and adverse analytical findings, which have been published since 2015. I mentioned the investment in the laboratory. There was the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011. We have been involved in a large number of significant court cases. We have excluded people from the industry because of welfare issues. Much has been happening. In terms of rehoming, the numbers are increasing. Last year saw the highest number recorded to date.

Having said all of that, and given the scale of the issue, much more undoubtedly needs to be done. What the board announced in June and at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and what we are implementing, will see significant further strides being made in that regard. However, much has been happening in terms of welfare, which has been a commitment of the board.