Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On CCTV cameras at racetracks, we have dealt with this in the past and some of it was outlined here again today. Part of the €9 million allocated was to be used for cameras. The Comptroller and Auditor General said it would come to €1 million. We know from Horse Racing Ireland and other inquiries that up to 26 racecourses need the cameras. They have been erected in one and there are plans to put them up in another. This is three years after the money was allocated.

At a previous meeting, we heard that the cost of putting CCTV cameras in the stable yards of each racecourse would come to €25,000. By my calculations, that would take €625,000. Basically, €0.6 million would do this. The money is dished out by the Department. Who is responsible? What has the Department done about the failure over the past three years to erect a simple thing? I see neighbours and small businesses putting up CCTV cameras in the matter of a couple of days. Why can we not get CCTV cameras erected at racecourses to prevent interference with and the doping of horses? We have a valuable industry and one we want to protect. We want the highest standards and a high reputation. However, one can get a low reputation quickly, a point we all appreciate.

What has the Department done? It is farcical that three years after the moneys were allocated, only one course has CCTV with plans for only one more. Why are they not installed at the 26 racecourses to make sure there is no doping or interference with animals before or after race meetings?