Ollie Wilkinson (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

It is a pity that this serious issue has arisen. During the last Olympic games, Ireland was thrilled to see a horseman win an Olympic medal but doom and gloom set in after certain allegations were substantiated. It was a grave disappointment to the people of Ireland, so I commend the Minister on his efforts to resolve this issue. While it will not be easy to do so, it is very important that something should be done.

A range of fund-raising events are held at race meetings. How many schools have raised thousands of euro from a night at the races? However, we live in a serious world and problems have to be resolved.

The Minister is opposing this Bill because it would be premature to accept it prior to the finalisation of the Dalton report on certain matters affecting Bord na gCon.

On 26 January, the board of Bord na gCon decided to terminate the employment contract of its chief executive. This was the culmination of a series of events surrounding the chief executive, which included a direct communication from him to the Minister alleging that there were shortcomings in corporate governance practice at Bord na gCon and that procedures dealing with doping infringements by the doping control committee were not in accordance with best practice.

On 1 February, the Minister established an independent investigation, to be carried out by Mr. Tim Dalton, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, into issues pertaining to corporate governance in Bord na gCon, as well as its management of positive tests for banned substances. The terms of reference of the independent investigation were to review the allegations of shortcomings in corporate governance practice at Bord na gCon made by the chief executive in his letter of 18 January to the Minister and the response of the chairman of Bord na gCon to these allegations; to take into account the possibility of legal proceedings, to examine the circumstances surrounding the decision of the board of Bord na gCon to terminate the contract of employment of the chief executive of Bord na gCon with immediate effect; to report, when and if possible in light of said legal proceedings, his findings to the Minister; to advise on any actions considered necessary to ensure adherence to best corporate governance practice; to consider the way in which Bord na gCon procedures dealing with doping infringements are currently carried out; and to comment on the adequacy of existing procedures and advise on whether any changes or modifications should be put into effect.

At the end of April, Mr. Dalton presented his report to the Minister and guidance was immediately sought from the Office of the Attorney General on how to proceed with the issues raised. In accordance with the Attorney General's advice, copies and, in some cases, extracts of the Dalton report were sent to persons referred to in the report on a confidential basis to afford them an opportunity to submit observations on the report to the Minister by close of business on Wednesday, 31 May 2006. These submissions have been made available to Mr. Dalton to allow him to finalise his report following which the Minister will present proposals to his Cabinet colleagues for dealing with the recommendations made in the Dalton report. The Minister will seek approval for the immediate publication of the report.

The Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, made it clear as recently as last week when answering parliamentary questions, that all those mentioned in the Dalton report would be allowed due process and sufficient time to submit their observations. He stated he does not intend to comment on any aspect of the Dalton report until it is formally in the public domain. The introduction of the Bill is premature. The Minister is deeply interested in seeing that things are done well and properly and that a sport that has been immensely beneficial to the rural and national economy is put on a good, sound footing. Everything that can be done to eliminate doping in this sport will be done. It has given entertainment and pleasure to many people. A wonderful tradition exists in Irish greyhound racing and it will be maintained. With the changed population attending the racing tracks, for example families on a night out and having a meal, it is important that this happens. I support the Minister in his efforts.

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