Mr. Darragh O'Loughlin:

The full cost of the system across the 25 racecourses, and then linking back into the security unit in our headquarters, is in the region of €1.86 million. For that, we have got more than 500 cameras, 25.5 km of cables, digital network recorders and so on across every permanent racecourse in the country.

On the second part of the Deputy's question, regarding what we have detected with it, I see it more as an extra layer of security with probably more of a deterrent effect than a detection effect, particularly with regard to anti-doping offences. We can see every stable door in every racecourse in the country on race day with this system. The entire industry knows that the system is in place so I do not actually anticipate detecting much in the way of doping activity using this.

It has proved useful in other ways - I will not say smaller ways but ancillary ways such as health and safety. If somebody has had an accident, we have captured that on CCTV, which obviously helps with accident reporting. It could be of benefit, therefore, even with regard to the legal actions that can follow accidents and so on, and helping to establish what has happened. It is useful from that perspective. I think Dr. Hillyer would agree that it is useful from an equine welfare perspective. If Dr. Hillyer receives a query about a horse's suitability to race the day after racing or two days after it, she can go back and watch that horse coming into the stable yard and moving into a stable. She can even watch how the horse was moving and whether it was lame, limping or so on going out onto the track and coming back in off the track.