Denis Landy (Labour)
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I welcome the group from the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation. I want to acknowledge at the outset that the federation is indeed the watchdog of the industry. It is important to say that. Every organisation, industry or business needs a watchdog. Indeed, we have ombudsmen and women to do that nationally. They watch and mark Government Departments.

It is fair to acknowledge that there is a healthy uneasiness between the association and Bord na gCon. That is only right, because if everyone was sitting cosily at the fire together, none of the issues that need to be addressed would be addressed. That is the essence of any industry - in this case the greyhound industry - that is working well, with the different elements operating well together. That should happen, and it is for the betterment of the industry and for the betterment of the welfare of greyhounds.

The Minister referred to the fact that I had facilitated a number of meetings with the federation. At one of the meetings, it was put to the federation that the Minister would be prepared to meet the organisation quarterly if it was agreeable. There is an opportunity now in the proposed legislation to put such meetings on a statutory basis. That happens with other organisations: for example, the councillors' association meets the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Governmenton a statutory basis. It is set out in legislation that they will meet annually. What are the federation's views on that? Also, it might like to respond to the point that various views are coming from the organisation. I know of only one view that is coming from the organisation, which is the one that the federation gives me as the national umbrella group - the overarching group for the organisation.

I would like the federation to put on the record its response to that, because it is important. The last thing we want is the view being given that there are four or five different organisations. There are regional structures and branches and other structures at the sub-tier level, but the federation is one organisation. That is important and we must put that on the record today.

I will comment on the appropriateness of today's meeting. Other arrangements were made, but coming here today with Bord na gCon and the Minister is better. It allows everybody to hear everybody else's contribution, which we could not have done if we had stayed with the original date of 6 October, when we would not have had the Minister giving what I would call a progress report on what is happening following the Indecon report. That is extremely important, and it is appropriate that we have done things in this way.

Senator Ó Domhnaill and Deputy Ferris addressed the issue of communications. I will put it to the federation squarely: please tell us how we could improve communications with the board and the Department. It is important that things are out in the open. Communications are a two-way street. If can communications can be improved, a lot of the issues that are hanging around will be dealt with more quickly and in a better and more professional way.

Following meetings that I have had with the Minister, I acknowledge that the chief executive officer met the federation on a number of occasions. However, the federation's wish is for a meeting with the board, not just the CEO, and maybe another official and the chairman. How would it be more beneficial to the federation to meet with the full board? What benefit would that have for the industry? All my comments are in the interests of the betterment of the industry.

The new Bill will be an opportunity over the next couple of months. What can we put into the Bill that will improve the role of the federation? We can at least endeavour to put reasonable proposals in the Bill. That is extremely important.

I am getting down to the nitty gritty, but what is the federation's view on the change to the process for catering at the tracks? I would also like the federation's comments on Irish dog racing being made available in bookies' shops. Will that be of any benefit to the industry? Will bookies take it on? Will there be a proper book on it? Will it happen at all?

My final question is on the report by Professor Tim Morris, which is with the board. The board will come forward with its findings imminently, I understand. What are the federation's expectations of the result of that process? "Zero tolerance" is its mantra. What is that in reality? We hear of zero tolerance in athletics and lot of other areas in life. What does the federation believe zero tolerance is, and how will it work for the industry?