Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
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I await the Minister's answers. Most of the questions that need to be asked have been asked but one underlying fact is that irrespective of what has or has not gone on, members are discussing corporate governance issues here in what is supposed to be an era of new politics. The joint committee is far from that title of new politics this evening by virtue of the Minister's presence before it. One cannot open a newspaper or turn on a radio without encountering this story, which is in the top three headlines. The entire integrity and reputation of the Irish racing and thoroughbred industry is in an almost irreparable position at present. How will that be turned around? It is a serious industry that has been dragged through the gutters in recent days. Moreover, this state of affairs has been brought onto the industry by its governing body, which is supposed to be promoting the Irish horse. The eyes of the world will be on thePrix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday and although one should be hoping for an Irish victory and the promotion of the Irish horse, instead there is negativity.

That negativity would be seen in a parade ring in a racecourse, in a bookie's shop or on the street because of this. The people who are supposed to drive and run the racing industry, along with Government officials, have brought this on themselves. How will we reverse this fall and race to the bottom in the integrity and reputation of this very important industry, which I think is irreversible?