Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I thank both groups for their presentations. They have been useful in terms of the Bill. I would agree with the points made about the membership of the board of Horse Racing Ireland, particularly in regard to the stable staff association. All groups and bodies involved in racing should have full representation on the board because that is where the decisions will be made. I agree with the point that lessening the role of employees would be a step backwards. That is an important one. There is merit in seeking to increase the membership on the board of the owners association. That is a positive proposal and we should impress on the Department and the Minister that they should change that make-up of the board to ensure that it is reflective of all those involved.

Regarding the power of Horse Racing Ireland to issue directives, from my reading of the Bill, that excludes the role of the Racing Regulatory Body. While that body is required to consult Horse Racing Ireland, it appears it cannot issue directives enforcing Horse Racing Ireland to do something because the body's role in setting the regulations is excluded from the directive power that Horse Racing Ireland has. I could be wrong in that but that seems to be the position. I am not sure if it is necessary to push that point in terms of legislation but we can examine that further.

The point that was made about the facilities at racecourses is valid. From the perspectives of the stable staff association and the owners association, it is important that racecourses should be up to standard. We should stress the point in our feedback to the Department that the power they have to remove courses should extend to including where the facilities are not up to standard or if it there is not an investment programme in place to improve facilities and make them acceptable to members of staff.