Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the committee and giving some clarity on where the money is being spent. I will support the motion in the Dáil. I would appreciate some clarification. It is a lot of money, and accountability and transparency are important. The Minister outlined where the funding is going, but I want to know about how the money will feed its way right down to the roots of the problems in the horse and greyhound industries. It is quite possible that people at the top will be fighting for most if not all of this money. I look at rural communities in west Cork and events such as the Durrus, Goleen and Drimoleague road trotting races. Will funding get down to the ground for the likes of those committees and jockeys? There is a jockey in my parish of Goleen, Deirdre Goggin, and she and others like her will find it very difficult to survive. There has been a loss of spectators in the bigger arenas, and I worry that much of this money will only go to the very top and not get to the bottom. Will the Minister outline how it will feed its way back into the horse industry?

On greyhounds, a motion is coming before the Dáil tomorrow which I do not agree with at all. The Minister's remarks here make it very clear that a big percentage of the money is going into greyhound care, payment schemes, care centres for greyhounds, foster homes, greyhound injury schemes, a confidential phone line, and the rehousing of greyhounds in America. It is an opportunity that we cannot allow pass to give a percentage of the funds now becoming available to those schemes for the care and welfare of greyhounds. We are talking about 12,500 jobs in rural Ireland in the greyhound industry and God knows how many more in the horse industry. We cannot put that in jeopardy because, unfortunately, there are a few rogue traders who need to be straightened out. This funding may help that.

Greyhounds have been a tradition in my area of west Cork. Going back over 30 years, I remember my parents took me to Schull to see the winner of the English Derby, which was won by a greyhound that was lovingly treated and cared for by the Barnett family in Schull, and this brought great victory, pride and joy to our town. That is happening in other communities. We should not put any of that in jeopardy but ensure that there is animal welfare and that funding gets to the people on the ground. Deputy Carthy remarked that suckler farmers and the sheep and dairy sectors are also people we support, but today we are focusing on horses and greyhounds. I will certainly support the Minister but hope the money gets to those on the ground.