Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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Most of what I was going to say has been asked. It is one of the few industries that really resonates with rural Ireland. I come from the small town of Enniscorthy, where I think we have our greyhound track since 1937. It creates a lot of employment. It is very important. When people look at the greyhound industry, they do not see the veterinary sector that is tied into it. You have people who supply food for the dogs, people who build the kennels and people who actually train and walk the dogs, and so on. For a small rural area, that is why it is so important.

I reiterate what has been said about governance probably being the most important factor. I do not know whether the Department can set out a certain amount of money for welfare itself. If it is giving a certain amount of money, perhaps it could specify that a certain amount of it has to be spent on the welfare of the animals.

Sometimes we have a difficulty with the 80:20 split. Since the foundation of the funding, that is kind of the way it has been done. The greyhounds could have a bad year or the horses could have a bad year - because of a disease or anything - and they would need to get more money or to have it divided up differently. Maybe the review will come out with something on that.

The governance is probably the most important thing that we have to make sure is done right. I thank the Minister.