Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I am sorry that I missed the Minister's opening statement, but I have read it. Will the IT traceability system come from the 10% of funding that has been ring-fenced for welfare expenditure or will an additional amount be needed?

I will focus on the data that is collected in respect of greyhound welfare. Many committee members are passionate about greyhound racing and horse racing. Although I am not one of them, I know that if we want this industry to survive then it is in the interests of the industry to have the absolute best welfare standards that are available. I submitted questions to Greyhound Racing Ireland and it has confirmed that no vets are present at official and unofficial trials, even though they are present at races. Would the Minister consider making it mandatory that vest attend trials? I ask as such a provision would shorten the amount of time that it takes to seek treatment for an injured animal. I also ask that data on injuries be collected. I understand from the responses I received from Greyhound Racing Ireland that the injuries fund is for race-ending injuries and is only accessible at official trials. I do not think we get the full picture on the number of injuries that are sustained. The organisation has admitted to not collect the data at unofficial trials. Will the traceability system come from the 10% of funding or is additional funding needed? What is the Minister's view on the fact that vets are not present at trials?