Mr. Brian Kavanagh:

Definitely. To clarify, Mallow is not a HRI track. We do own a 30% shareholding in it but it is a privately owned track. As the Deputy knows, it was redeveloped at the turn of the century. The types of events mentioned are absolutely vital to any racecourse. It is a real challenge for racecourses not just to be locations where people come to race and leave. A racecourse has to engage with its local community and get people to use it. If it is for purposes other than racing, all the better. The Deputy will know that Mallow was used as a Covid testing centre. We were delighted that Galway and Punchestown racecourses were on the list of 37 venues announced as vaccination centres. The community engagement piece is vital for racecourses. The most successful racecourses in the country, regarding which I have repeatedly quoted the example of Ballinrobe Racecourse in the west, are those that are absolutely rooted in the local community and seen as the people’s racecourse in their area. That is when one hits the magic spot. I am pretty sure that when we are able to have garden shows and such events again, Mallow will be delighted to welcome back its fair.