Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

I wish to make one more point on head 14. We provide for these persons to be liable to one or more racing sanctions. They are provided for in head 17. In subsection (5) there is a highlighted provision that if there is an adverse finding, the greyhound will be disqualified until such time as the control committee has decided whether a racing sanction will be imposed. We are not saying that is a racing sanction; we are just proposing that if a positive result is found, the dog cannot race until the matter has been determined. I think this was the subject of criticism by various people. It is strong medicine, but I believe it has support in the sector.

Head 15 concerns investigations by Greyhound Racing Ireland. We propose to leave Greyhound Racing Ireland with its investigative powers. The significant proposals here are to provide it with explicit powers to conduct investigations in welfare-related areas and to empower the board to make regulations for the conduct of investigations and related matters.

Head 16 concerns the powers of authorised officers. We propose that the board may appoint authorised officers. Ms Dempsey, is this one of the areas in which we may have to provide for principles and policies?