Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators. Senator Paul Daly noted the importance of the smaller tracks and breeders and the pressure they are under this year as a result of Covid. I agree with him and it is important that they be supported both by RCÉ and Horse Racing Ireland. I will relay his feedback, which concurs with my own, to those organisations. He made a valid point about the necessity of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for the support of these sectors and industries. If we were to withdraw that funding from either of them, where would it leave them? As regards employment, what is the alternative and what would happen in the following years? That does not get enough recognition in the debates we have on this matter every year and that principle underpins the State support for both industries. I take the Senator's point about the need to further develop care homes. That is the policy being followed by RCÉ and is my priority as well. We will continue to liaise with the organisation to develop them.

The Senator also asked about Brexit and horse racing, which is a significant challenge. The tripartite agreement on the free movement of horses between Ireland, France and Britain has been significant in underpinning the racing and breeding sectors. That is a real challenge at the moment and is something on which we are engaging with both the Commission and Britain. We do not yet have an overall agreement, which we hope will be forthcoming, and we are all working towards that. The fact that there is no overall agreement has meant many issues that require further examination and collaboration cannot be properly addressed.

As Minister, I am very much aware of the importance of this issue and will be working with both the European Union and Britain in that regard. We will be one island from the point of view of animal health, so movement of horses between North and South will not be an issue. It is the movement between east and west that needs to be resolved and requires attention.

Senator Lombard highlighted the significant jobs that both industries represent in rural Ireland. I accept and echo his point. He welcomed the welfare measures and the importance of moving on with the care homes provision. He also touched on the pressure tracks and the sector are under as a result of Covid. There is a significant increase in the allocation for the horse and greyhound racing fund in budget 2021, specifically because both State bodies are under significant pressure as a result of Covid. Like many other sectors, particularly ones that are dependent on spectators for a large part of their income, they have not been able to hold races for a portion of the year, which has had very significant impacts. There is an onus on us to work with these sectors to support them through this period, just as there has been an onus on us to work with all businesses. In that context, we are working closely with them to ensure they are in a position to take up the batons and reins again after Covid and get back to a healthy level of income from traditional sources.