Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Penrose and Senator Daly. It is good to have the midlands voice on the committee. Regarding the Deputy's observation on welfare and where we are at with new legislation, even outside of the equine and greyhound sectors, welfare is a crucial issue for our international reputation, full stop. That is why whether it is calf welfare, live exports or everything else that the Department touches, we are acutely conscious that this an area where there is a lot of public interest, and that we have to abide by and comply with the law. Very often our own regulations are of a higher standard because that is what the market in respect of the agrifood sector, for example, demands and the public asks for nothing less than that these industries are highly regulated from a welfare compliance point of view.

Bord na gCon was in the vanguard of looking for change in order that it would have the toolbox to deliver on higher standards of welfare and integrity in the industry, which is important. Members will acknowledge that my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Doyle, is driving that change. Given that we now have the legal framework, I hope the industry can proceed from what has been a challenging time for it. Whereas it has been challenging for the greyhound sector, there is no room for complacency in any sector. In the equine and bovines sector, we need to remain continuously engaged on the issue of welfare.

I take Deputy Penrose's point about the betting tax. Following the increase from 1% to 2% in the tax, 2020 will be the first year when receipts will exceed the level of State funding in the horse and greyhound racing sectors. Of course, the Department of Finance is broadly hostile to the idea of ring-fencing a tax stream for a particular purpose. It is not that it does not happen, but broadly speaking, the Department is not supportive of it. Not all the funding from betting tax comes from horse or greyhound racing. People can have a punt on anything. Whether it is Premier League football or horse racing, the fund is the fund. For the first time it will exceed the amount available in the HGRF.

Regarding all the funding that HRI gets, Senator Paul Daly made a point about the equine centre, which is one of its concerns That is a valuable asset to the industry. It is not just for the thoroughbred industry; it is an asset that delivers in many other respects also. We are acutely aware of that and we will commence working with HRI and the equine centre, looking at how we can make progress on the investment that is necessary, perhaps along a model similar to that used in the Curragh, using outside investment, etc. We are anxious to proceed with that.

Deputy Penrose rightly made the point that it is not just about all the big days out, the big race prizes and the big trainers. The entire edifice is built on a foundation that is much more grounded. I do not use that term in any pejorative way in respect of the excellence we achieve and the people who achieve it for us. Small breeders who might own a couple of mares are also important. In my engagement with HRI in recent years I have made a request for it to put more money into point-to-point racing outside the rails, and it has. That is important because that sector was feeling the financial challenges of continuing to run what I regard as important events, as well as the capital investment programme HRI has had. I have not visited Senator Daly's operation in Kilbeggan yet, but that investment has delivered specific projects at Mallow, Listowel and Killarney that have been beneficial to the enjoyment of the punter very often as much as the infrastructure for horses and jockeys and facilities, all of which needs an upgrade. It is important to maintain that ongoing investment.

I appreciate the Senator's point about budget 2020. It was framed in a particular context. We can look back and say with the benefit of with hindsight it could have been done differently. However, we were faced with the very live possibility of a no-deal Brexit. It was broadly introduced on the basis of no change, which is effectively what has happened with HRI and Bord na gCon funding where there is no change year on year. In a different environment whoever might be doing this job or the budget this time next year, that can be looked at.