Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The witnesses have done a lot and Mr. Flanagan has a very good story to tell. I would be supportive of the tote licence. I cannot see where the issue is. I think it is an opportunity for the IHRA to grow the sport. With road racing, an awful lot of money is bet on those races. If the IHRA had a tote facility, I think that would be an attraction as well. Thoroughbred is very much niche racing in Ireland, and I think Mr. Flanagan's sport is much more egalitarian. Anybody can own a harness racer, whereas you need money to own a racehorse.

As regards the French investment to date, the IHRA got €27,000, I think, from the Dundalk experience, which was very impressive. Are they investing money annually into Ireland now, or what is the level of French investment at the moment?