Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chair for the opportunity to contribute I thank the Minister and to wish him well in his new post as I do all the people in Donegal that he represents.

I want to thank him and the Government for the funding to these vital sections of our community. I spend a lot of time criticising the Government for things that I feel are not happening for many people but I want to thank it especially for this €19.2 million for the horse and greyhound industries. Like all sections of our community and all sporting interests, everyone is affected by this deadly virus. There have not been any gate receipts for any event for more than nine months now.

We have a vibrant greyhound industry in Kerry, including in Brosna, Castleisland, Tralee, and down even into south Kerry in places like Ballyduff and Ballyheigue. People live for their greyhounds and their legs are broken from walking them day and night and looking after them. There is talk about traceability. The real greyhound owners have no problem with traceability or checking standards and transparency and they have nothing to fear. Like many others, I was deeply disappointed last year with the RTÉ programme, which threw the greyhound industry into a bad light. It did not give a true reflection but perhaps there were some rogues.

We do not really know the background to it. Maybe they were not there at all. Maybe it was made up. It is not true to say that 6,000 greyhounds were killed or that they went missing. I reject and resent that very much. Really, maybe they do not know where they went but it is a fact that when the dogs get older they are not as visible. They are visible to their owners. They foster them out to other people who want a dog in their homes. That is happening and will continue to happen. I assure the committee that it is in the interests of the people who own greyhounds and dogs, and the farmers who own animals of every creed and description, to look after their dogs and animals. I was brought up with the idea that if we neglect or hurt an animal it will fall back on us. This is the way the people of Kerry treat their dogs and horses. They treat them better than themselves.

Deputy Mattie McGrath mentioned Clonmel and it will be a savage loss to the economy of Clonmel. Places such as Castleisland, Listowel and Tralee have suffered because of no track running. They were all cancelled. When the last lockdown began they were just starting and if they had known there would be a total lockdown they could have gone sooner. Many jobs have been affected. It is an industry, which is why I value the few bob the Minister is giving. It shows the Government has an interest in the greyhound and horse industries. We really need these sectors to continue for people's mental health. People diversify in different ways. All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy and these people need their greyhounds like other fellows need their racing cars. Everybody has a different idea of diversion. Other people have antiques and people get into valuable pictures. These people need to be recognised. I thank the Minister very much for the funding. I regret and resent the attack made on these sectors by the Social Democrats.