Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach and members for accommodating this resolution and discussion today. The horse and greyhound sectors are embedded in the social and economic fabric of our country, particularly in rural Ireland. Successive Governments have acknowledged the significance of both industries by supporting them through legislation, policy initiatives and the provision of funding. This support has helped maintained Ireland's world-class reputation for excellence in horse racing, greyhound racing and breeding. In this regard, an important aspect of Government policy is the investment in the horse and greyhound racing industries to ensure they achieve their maximum potential. The horse and greyhound racing fund plays a key role in providing this investment. It has been instrumental in shaping these industries and the many livelihoods which depend on them.

Both sectors make a valuable contribution to a balanced regional economy. The most recent analysis conducted by Deloitte estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.6 billion, with direct and indirect employment of 30,000 people. A report by Mr. Jim Power estimated that greyhound racing supports more than 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs, with a further 6,000 people deriving economic benefit from the industry.

The horse and greyhound industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2021. Payments are made from the fund to Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann for the greyhound sector. Exchequer support provided to the fund is crucial to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. Since 2001, a total of €1.7 billion has been paid from the fund to the horse and greyhound racing industries in accordance with provisions of the Act. The cumulative upper limit on payments from the fund provided for under the relevant regulations has been reached, however. In order to give effect to the provisions of budget 2025, this cumulative upper limit must now be increased by regulation. The Estimates from my Department, passed by both Houses as part of budget 2025, include an allocation of €99.1 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This will be distributed in accordance with the Act, with 80%, equating €79.3 million, going to HRI and 20%, equating €19.8 million, going to Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

To allow my Department to provide the allocated money in budget 2025, it is necessary to comply with the technical requirements under section 12(13) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2021 to increase the cumulative limit on the amount payable from the fund by €99.1 million to bring it up to €1.8 billion in total. This is achieved by way of the regulations submitted to the committee today. The aggregate limit on the fund has been increased in this manner in 2004 and in 2009 to 2023, inclusive.

I will focus a bit on each industry, starting with the horse racing industry. It is, obviously, massively significant to our rural economy and creates a highly favourable international profile of our country, including in the tourism sector, for example. According to the 2023 Deloitte report on the social and economic impact of Irish thoroughbred racing and breeding, which I referenced earlier, it is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.46 billion, representing a 34% increase from 2016. The sector supports both direct and indirect jobs of 30,000 people. The sector has an incredible reputation as a location for breeding and racing, which is evidenced by Ireland's position as the second-largest producer in blood stock in the world by value of sales after the USA. Ireland also has the world's third-largest number of thoroughbred foals each year after the USA and Australia. The thoroughbred sector is a firm part of our identity and Government funding has been a key driver in retaining this status over many years.

Naturally, underlying all the facts and figures are the countless individuals who have directly and indirectly shaped the current state of the Irish racing and breeding industry. In 2023, Irish-trained horses racing in Britain won close to £17 million, well ahead of the 2022 figure. Likewise, Irish-trained horses won more than €10 million in prize money throughout the rest of the world. The figures relating to the bloodstock and breeding sector also show significant increases, which is a huge sign of confidence in the industry. Bloodstock sales at public auction in Ireland rose by 7.5% and the worldwide value of Irish foal horses sold through auction rose by 13.8%, with the combined figure reaching in excess of €565 million.

As proven in 2023, Irish owners, trainers, jockeys and horses continue to set and uphold a high standard. Their exceptional achievements and enduring influence underscore Ireland's international reputation. While other noteworthy racing nations have significant advantages, including scale, demography and economy, the Irish equine breeding and racing industry is extremely competitive globally. This is clearly an example of the sector punching above its weight. We are able to continuously compete and outperform our competitors because of the extraordinary passion and dedication to excellence shown by all those involved in the industry, including yard workers, jockeys and owners.

The welfare of both people and animals is a priority, as evidenced in HRI’s current strategic plan and my Department will continue to support both HRI and the Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board, IHRB, in this regard. An independent review of the IHRB’s anti-doping programme carried out by an international equine anti-doping expert, Dr. Craig Suann, concluded that the programme "at least matches international best practice in most respects." It also found that the IHRB has made “significant advances in recent years”. That said, we must leave no stone unturned in continuing to improve equine welfare.

I will now turn to the greyhound racing sector. Through the evaluation of the greyhound racing industry in the 2021 Power Report, it was highlighted that the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry both directly and indirectly, supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. Moreover, there are in excess of 6,000 active greyhound owners who perceive this lifestyle as a fundamental aspect of their lives.

The greyhound racing industry is an integral part of the social fabric of our country. The finance provided to the greyhound racing industry supports economic activity nationwide and helps maintain a long-standing tradition. It is widely acknowledged that funding for this sector is especially important for rural Ireland.

The future of the industry is dependent on a strong governance platform and on the industry having the highest standards of integrity and welfare, founded on a robust regulatory system. There is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in this sector in the programme for Government and this Government’s support is contingent on a guarantee of welfare standards being upheld by Rásaíocht Con Éireann on an annual basis. This is reflected in the annual parameters set out by my officials and in their regular interactions with RCÉ. RCÉ continues to operate an ever-expanding greyhound care fund utilising income from the Horse and Greyhound Fund towards the implementation of the highest possible welfare standards at kennels and racing facilities throughout the country.

Provisions in the Greyhound Racing Act 2019, which came into effect on 28 May 2019, will support RCÉ to strengthen greyhound welfare. This legislation strengthens the legal basis for the industry with a view to fortifying the integrity of the greyhound racing sector and improving provision for greyhound traceability.

Through this Act, governance of RCÉ is improved. There are enhancements to industry regulatory oversight, updates to sanctions and enhanced integrity standards. It facilitates the board in focusing on its priority objective of achieving the highest standards of care and welfare of greyhounds. Further commencement orders for the small number of remaining sections will continue to be phased in as expediently as possible and, as implementation continues, enable RCÉ to ensure the important heritage associated with greyhound racing in Ireland can continue under the appropriate rules and regulations.

The Act provides the industry with real tools which can effect fundamental change and reform and a continued focus on welfare standards in the industry remain a top priority for my Department.

A key element of the new legislation is the provision for the first time for a full IT traceability system for racing greyhounds. The Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system, RCÉTS, came into operation on 11 January 2021. The system provides a mechanism to ensure that racing greyhounds are properly registered and traceable throughout their lives up to the point of rehoming and retirement. These life stages include birth, registration, racing career, all changes of ownership and location, and end of life. Data from the system at the end of August 2024 indicates that 50,148 greyhounds were subject to traceability.

Ongoing work is being carried on the system. RCÉTS phase 2 is currently in development and this will include additional functionality to facilitate the recording of injuries at RCÉ licensed stadiums during racing, official and unofficial trials, the capture of details relating to euthanasia of a greyhound by a veterinary surgeon, the capture of medical records and health checks carried out by veterinary surgeons, the recording of sampling history and adverse analytical findings and report details of offences under the Greyhound Racing Act 2019. The continued expansion of the system has coincided with the development and further improvement of a range of other welfare and care programmes that reflect RCÉ’s commitment to ensuring greyhound welfare across the State receives the highest level of protection.

In addition to its care and welfare programme, RCÉ is involved in areas which include regulatory, integrity and laboratory functions. This includes activity on welfare inspections and investigations, testing regimes, veterinary services, and financial support for the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust and contributions to private rehoming agencies. RCÉ is fully committed to the development, management and promotion of a successful, commercial greyhound racing industry that is built on a consumer-focused and high quality entertainment product which meets the highest possible international regulatory and welfare standards which will continue to be governed by my Department.

These two industries are fundamental to the achievement of more balanced regional economic growth and provide widespread benefits for many rural locations. A key priority for Government focuses on the social and economic needs of rural communities and in this context, these industries continue to contribute to rural economic activity and employment and should be recognised for their work in these areas.

The welfare of horses and greyhounds is a cornerstone of both industries and I am assured that HRI and RCÉ are striving to ensure the highest standards for the sports and their participants, on and away from the racetrack. This includes the provision of financial and other supports to many organisations to ensure the health and welfare of horses and greyhounds. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund has played a key role in providing this investment and it has been instrumental in the shaping of these industries and the many livelihoods they support. A rapidly changing international environment continues to pose challenges to the Irish economy making it important we continue to support these important industries.

We wish to seek the support of the committee for the increase in the overall cap and the Budget 2025 allocation.