Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the representatives of the federation for their presentation. They say that No. 2 in their list of primary objectives is to make effective representation and contributions to the Irish Greyhound Board, the Irish Coursing Club and the Minister with responsibility for the Irish greyhound industry. How effective has that been? Have they had ample access to the Minister and the various organisations for the purposes of making effective representation? The witnesses outlined their three main concerns, one of which was the non-implementation of rules and regulations. How can this be improved so as to meet the expectations and demands which they have?

I assume that the decline of the financial situation from 2006 and 2007 right through to the present is the reason for the 42.5% decline in the breeding sector. The drugs issue was mentioned in the Minister's presentation. Adverse analytical results from any greyhounds that are tested will be published on the Bord na gCon website. How effective is that going to be? Will it have any effect whatsoever? If the results are just published on the website, what difference will that make? Will it have any real effect? In regard to not permitting the dog to run until it is tested again, is the dog stopped from running because he has been drugged? It is hard to comprehend what will happen.

The Minister said that the controls committee would operate absolutely independently of the board and that he intends to introduce primary legislation stating that the members of the committee should be appointed by the Minister of the day. Do the witnesses believe that the Minister having the sole power to appoint people is the right way to go? Ms Frank stated: "This tree of industry will not weather the storm under its top-heavy branches." Could the federation elaborate on that? Am I correct in assuming that it is the structures that are top-heavy rather than everything from the bottom up?