Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

Yes and we discussed the issue of media rights also. To be clear, we are not starting with a blank page. HRI is the State agency which has been established to administer and develop the horse racing industry. It has been established since 2001 when it replaced the Irish Horseracing Authority. In terms of media rights, there is no provision to change them, with one exception, the sole exception being that the media rights committee will now be at liberty to bring in non-members of HRI to advise it. This is based on the recognition that one might require particular commercial, media or other expertise to inform media rights. The number of members of the media rights committee is increasing from three to five to accommodate potential additional members.

The Deputy is correct that there is a joint approach to media rights between the racecourses and HRI and that will not change. Racecourses are still represented on the HRI board. As I understand it, the racecourses own the media rights but on the basis of an agreement. It was considered that, from a national perspective and the point of view of developing an industry and getting the best bang for one's buck, the media rights should be negotiated as a collective. Nothing has happened in recent times to change that view.

The Deputy spoke about the HRI charges. I understand the charges have been reduced by 10% this year.