Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am not disputing the fact that prize money makes an impact. What I am asking is whether this level of funding could make a greater impact or a more positive impact. No matter what way we set out the figures and the numbers, the facts speak for themselves. A huge proportion of the prize money goes to a very small number of players. I was stunned in recent weeks, when this was raised by other Deputies, to learn that even though we have invested as a State almost €1.5 billion in the horse racing sector since 2000, the horse and pony racing sector actually gets none of that even though that sector is such a core component of this industry. The Minister has referred to discussions with HRI but as the person who is going to be signing the HRI cheque for approximately €60 million, will he ensure that a proportion of that money goes to the horse and pony racing section which is so important to the overall industry?