Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Harness Racing Industry Development Needs: Discussion

2:15 pm

Mr. James O'Sullivan:

To elaborate on what Arthur said earlier about the social problems in Ireland related to sulky racing, we probably take the view that many of these social problems are due to not having a properly funded structure for trotting in this country. We believe that we have a part to play in solving some of that social problem. It does not exist anywhere else in mainland Europe. It exists in Great Britain but that country is in the same position as this country. It has the same problems. It has an unfunded trotting organisation, just as Ireland has. We believe there is a solution in that regard. The social problem exists as a result of not having a properly funded structure for trotting.