Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The industry is very close to my own heart. An Opposition Deputy from Wexford absolutely opposed the closing of Enniscorthy greyhound track, as I did at the time. However, when he had an opportunity to support enhanced funding for the track, he voted against it. It beggars belief how he could support it one day and then vote against the funding for the industry a couple of months later. There are private and public tracks. My track in Enniscorthy is a private track. However, there is considerable anecdotal evidence that a number of public tracks throughout the country are losing considerable amounts of money and that our support of the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, funds are keeping these tracks open. I know the IGB is recruiting for a new CEO at present. I forget what exactly the salary is but there are other employees within the IGB who are earning more than the CEO. That is a little bit strange to me. Maybe I am being told something that is not true. I do not know but I believe if the IGB is to get a good, credible candidate, the salary should be increased. I am not sure whether the Minister has been approached about this. It has lost quite a number of CEOs in a short number of years. I ask that the Minister look into whether there are other employees within the IGB on more money than the chief executive. The CEO is leading the organisation and is responsible for it. The Minister should look into it. I urge him to increase the salary of the CEO of the IGB because, if we are to get good, credible candidates-----