Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputies Penrose, Ferris and McConalogue for their questions. I will deal with whether the industry should be self-financing. I acknowledge that €80 million is a great deal of money. I think we forget the circular economy. The income from the 1% betting levy to October 2016, a period of ten months, is €50 million.

This is a lot of money to be handing over. With regard to the ambition of the industry to grow, the ongoing capital investment funded by HRI and how the business is integrated in the rural economy, the State probably gets a fair return from the investment it makes and it enables the industry to accelerate the investment and development identified for the horse racing and greyhound industries.

We have had ample reports, including from the committee and the Morris and Indecon reports, to inform us on how best to proceed with the greyhound industry and to ensure integrity is put up in lights. This is an objective of the Department, and anybody with whom I have spoken in the industry and committee members all share this objective. There is an outline in particular in the Morris report of the issues that need to be addressed with regard to governance, integrity, anti-doping and control committees having adequate powers with regard to the sanctions that would apply to anybody found to be offside. My view is this is an industry of significant economic activity and anybody who puts its future in jeopardy should be dealt with in a very firm way. We will bring forward heads of a Bill to the committee early in the new year, and I hope we have ample input from all quarters to ensure we equip the industry with the best possible legislative framework to deal with governance, integrity, medical control issues and anti-doping. Deputy Ferris referred to his neighbours in north Kerry who stick with the industry notwithstanding all of the allegations. They should be able to live the dream safe in the knowledge that at least it is a level playing pitch or level track. This is what all of us want. I am sure the legislation will address all of these issues.

The Morris report is spoken about so often one would think it has been around for a long time but it is not. It was presented to Bord na gCon in July. I do not have the date of publication. We are not hanging around. It contains issues which need to be addressed. There will be no brief for anybody who resists placing integrity at the heart of the industry and ensuring anybody who is a shareholder or stakeholder in the industry can invest in it safe in the knowledge it is fair, above board and transparent. This is what all of us aspire to.

To respond to the point raised by Deputy Penrose regarding on employees in the industry, such as stable hands and jockeys having a say, under the legislation introduced in 2015 and finished in January 2016, there is provision for the board to have the voice of all of the people to be represented. Their unions also have potential for representation. The Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 provides for the establishment of a new industry services committee comprising a chairman and four members, including representatives of jockeys, qualified riders, employees of the industry other than jockeys and stable staff. Its chairman will be selected by the members of the committee. I understand HRI is in the process of establishing the committee and is in consultation with Mandate and SIPTU among others. This is an important development. We must also acknowledge recent initiatives by HRI in putting in place a proper career structure and educational opportunities for people who go into the industry. Many people go into the industry without having many educational qualifications under their belt. Some leave school early. It is important they are given an opportunity for continuous education and professional development in the industry. HRI has recently made initiatives in this area.

I am aware that ownership is an issue. The statistics are beginning to turn with regard to increased participation of syndicates. Part of the reason for this is to do with the fact the costs to HRI are reducing. It is still an expensive sport, which is why syndicates are an attractive way of getting into it without anybody having to bear an excessive level of the costs. I understand HRI's own costs to owners have dropped by 30% in recent times. We have come through a very difficult time and the industry and governance bodies probably made decisions based on short-term financial needs rather than strategically being able to look at the long term. We are now in a situation where we have a little more light within which to operate. Strategically informed decisions are being made and this is reflected in the increased level of ownership.

With regard to harness racing, a point was made about the track in Dundalk. There is now an agreement between the Irish Harness Racing Association and HRI for access to the track on five occasions. This is progress. We await the outcome of the Indecon report, which will give us, I hope, a rationale or strategic basis on which to adjudicate whether it is a sector that merits further investment and has further potential. It has an international dimension. I recall at a child sulky races at Ballingeary show, which is a different version. In west Cork there are road races. There is potential to explore and see what rationale there might be for further investments. This is something to which we are open to, although it is not a HRI affiliate. It is affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland, which is a separate agency.