Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman for his statement. As a small country, there are very few things we can claim to be the best in the world at but we can justifiably claim to be the best in these two sports. We produce the best and can compete with, and beat, the best, which is a significant achievement for a country of our size. The chairman of HRI and the chief executive and chairman of Bord na gCon have made presentations to us in the past few weeks regarding where their respective industries are going, their need for funding and their plans for the future of both industries. Fianna Fáil supports the HGRF.

The points made by the Minister about standards in welfare and governance are well made. A highly publicised television programme on the greyhound industry did a lot of reputational damage to it. The industry's response to that programme was swift and a great deal of action has been taken. The enactment of the Greyhound Racing Bill will permit much more enforcement, which is needed. There were many high-profile cases over a number of years in which the public did not feel enforcement was carried out by the industry. We had high-profile cases of classic-winning greyhounds being found with prohibited substances, which did a lot of reputational damage to the industry. Hopefully, under the new Act, anyone who transgresses will face the full rigours of the law. Figures were given regarding the extensive testing being conducted. The figure that stuck in my head was that only 0.25% of samples were found to contain prohibited substances. Anyone found with prohibited substances must be clearly and strongly dealt with. In respect of Bord na gCon's argument for funding, it has put its shoulder to the wheel. A total of 50% of sponsorship is now devoted to welfare issues along with 10% of admission and restaurant receipts and 5% of Tote profits. Bord na gCon has, therefore, shown significant willingness to put its shoulder to the wheel in providing finance for ongoing welfare issues. The post-career life of a racing greyhound is paramount to the public. We must ensure that when greyhounds retire from racing, they are properly cared for. I was happy with the presentation made to us by the chairman and chief executive of Bord na gCon three weeks ago. They told us that the board is increasing its standards all the time. It is also important to stress that its welfare standards were in place before this programme was broadcast. Additional funding is being put in, which will bear fruit going forward. Over time, public confidence in the industry will be restored.

Brexit will be a challenge, as it will be for all industries. The movement of animals is paramount for both industries. It concerns the financial viability of both industries - breeding, racing or the export and sale of horses and greyhounds. Brexit is probably one of the major clouds hanging over both industries. Hopefully, there will be a conclusion when the UK general election is over and a common sense deal can be put in place in order that the free movement of animals can continue to allow these industries to maintain their eminent position. A major concern involves French bloodstock or brood mares coming here to our top stallions. It is important that they still have ease of passage to this country because if this was disrupted, those mares would stay in France and, over time, stallions would be relocated to France, which could have ongoing implications for the bloodstock industry. This is something about which the industry is worried. Hopefully, it will not come to pass.

I have been asked by Deputy Darragh O'Brien, who represents Dublin Fingal, to raise the issue of funding for the Irish Harness Racing Association, IHRA, an issue that has arisen on a number of occasions. The industry believes it has jumped through all the necessary hoops to get access to funding and has published a five-year strategy plan, which was launched in October. It has been given access to a 70-acre site. Fingal County Council and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have been involved in that. The association plans to build a national trotting stadium on the site. It feels aggrieved. It has put forward proposals. The French authorities have contributed in excess of €1 million to the association in prize money over the past six years. The association feels that if it is unable to progress its industry and put it on to a solid footing, much of the progress it has made will be lost.

The association has strict legislation on doping and has adopted many of the French protocols in that regard. It feels the protocols it has in place would stand up to scrutiny as regards the integrity of its racing. It sent 16 drivers to France in the recent past to compete in international races. The association feels it has done everything that was asked of it. It was promised on a number of occasions that if it did A, B and C, funding would come its way. At this stage, the IHRA is at a crossroads. It has asked us to support its cause. The association has done everything it has been asked to do and I ask the Minister to find funding for the association to allow it to proceed with its ambitious plans.