Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

The other aspect concerns its importance as an industry in this country.

I discussed this matter with Deputy Wall earlier and we recalled a few great characters from our localities, such as the late Jim Byrne, a county chairman, and a former Army officer, Mick O'Farrell. The latter used his greyhound to telling effect after running into trouble with the Defence Forces authorities for having kept the dog within military quarters. He aptly named his next dog Command Adjutant, after the individual who was responsible for administering discipline in the area. There is a lesson to be learned in this respect. If the problems surrounding the industry are not resolved in the immediate future, some greyhounds with telling names may run at Shelbourne Park or wherever.

As for the industry, this year approximately 1.5 million people will attend a race meeting. Gate receipts and levies on bookmakers are used for reinvestment in the facilities. Greyhound racing is attractive for many people whom one might not necessarily associate with it. It can provide an excellent family entertainment day and many political parties carry out fundraisers at the various race meetings.

One of the main attractions is that the time between races is very short. While the amount of money betted is not phenomenal, many people place a lot of small bets. Moreover, the facilities at many racetracks are excellent and have improved dramatically in recent years. One must thank the chairman and the board of Bord na gCon in recent times for investing this money in the facilities. They are second to none and leave many other sporting organisations in the shade in terms of what they offer to people. For the industry to thrive, it is important the public has faith in racing's integrity. While people might associate bookmakers with horse racing, much of their turnover comes from greyhound racing. Moreover, the numbers of spectators who attend greyhound races is almost on a par with those who attend horse racing.

In recent years, the industry has globalised and Irish racing is now available in the United States. Consequently, it is important to send out a message that Ireland has a well-run system. This is why this Bill is extremely important, as no group can self-regulate. Deputy Deenihan's Bill should be accepted by the Minister. If he does so, and I expect he will at least accept its principles, it will lead to a situation whereby people will not be put in difficult positions and will not be compromised. When such people will make a decision in what they consider to be the industry's best interests, it will not be open to misinterpretation by some.

Modern greyhound racing has its origins in coursing and the first recorded attempt to race greyhounds on a straight track occurred in 1876. The sport developed in its current form in 1912, following the invention of the modern hare by O.P. Smith. It only took off in its current form in Ireland in 1927. Deputy McCormack thinks it has been in use longer but that is not the case. Between 1958 and 1989 Bord na gCon received no State funding to augment prize money, with the exception of one grant of £50,000. I support the Bill. It is important that an independent body be established to ensure the integrity of the industry.

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