Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is really important that we support all sectors. HRI is aware of that and has ongoing and continuous engagement with all stakeholders and all of those involved at all levels within horse racing. It is important that all levels are supported because the next level depends very much on the health of the level underneath it and on the foundation levels, going right back to the small breeders, trainers and owners. As I said previously, we have just over 50 races nationally that have a pot of over €100,000 from a total of 2,500 individual races that are supported for prize money. It is really important to have those significant races that are really competitive and sought after from the point of view of our national sector but that also attract international players.

If it were not the case that racing was significantly supported like that and if there were not internationally competitive pots, then the sector would suffer.

I know they are not a direct example, but I will refer to draws. Deputy Durkan is not here but if he was he might compare pots with the national lottery. The latter is very much driven by the opportunity to win and everybody contributes in a small way by buying a ticket for an extremely successful lottery draw that involves a very large pot. That is because there is potential to win a big prize. Maybe we will see, through Deputy Durkan's efforts, that one or two balls will be dropped from the national lottery and that there will be more winners as a result. Having competitive racing pots available allows all of those in the industry to have hope that they can have winners. In other words, that during their lifetimes they might have one or, if they are lucky, two horses that might win significant prizes. The latter will encourage people to invest their money. In most cases, people invest because this is a hobby and a sport. People do not make money; they bring their money to it because they have a great passion for the sport and they hope that they will get lucky one day by having a really good horse or greyhound. In both industries, competitive races and funding pots are important, which drives the health of the industry overall. It is important that we keep an eye on this matter. Deputy Carthy is right that all sectors throughout the system and the wider ecosystem are supported. That is something of which HRI and Rásaíocht Con Éireann are very aware.