John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I am sure the Minister will be open to this. He is a good listener and will not be found wanting in this and will hopefully appoint a woman to the board.

I want to speak about the horse and greyhound racing fund and its importance in enhancing the infrastructure of this industry throughout the country. The horse racing and greyhound fund was established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to give support to both racing industries. Under the provisions of the Act the fund received a guaranteed level of finance based on excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year subject to a minimum level based on 2000 with the amount adjusted for inflation. Any shortfall in the amount generated by excise duty is made up by direct Exchequer intervention. In accordance with the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 80% and 20% of the fund each year are distributed to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon, respectively. The fund is not earmarked for specific purposes but gives people discretion to spend it as they see fit, which they are able to do and on which I compliment them. Since 2001 the fund has been used by both bodies to increase prize money levels, which is important for the trainers and owners who invest much of their hard-earned money and take a gamble, as we all do from time to time. It is important that risk is recognised, and it has been through this fund. It has also been used to meet administration of integrity costs alongside a capital investment programme that has underpinned growth in both sectors. I welcome the Minister's comments asserting the importance he attaches to ensuring the integrity of all drug-control procedures not just in greyhound racing but for sports in general and I quote his words from tonight's speech: "Ireland has an excellent record internationally as a country where sport, in all its wide variety, is highly valued, and pursued with enthusiasm, good nature and with a sense of fair play and honesty". That is important. We all look for that in the sports we support and in which we participate. The general public asks for no less of us. We have to have fair play and honesty in whatever we compete in. The Minister added:

Deputies will be well aware of the high regard in which our national anti-doping programme, operated by the Irish Sports Council, is held throughout the world. Indeed the World Anti-Doping Agency is using Ireland's anti-doping rules as a model of good practice for other countries to follow.

We have had a controversy and a debacle. The Minister has acted quickly, efficiently and properly to take this on board and to investigate and appoint an independent adjudicator who has held a thorough and full inquiry. Due process must be given to all parties concerned. It is important to recognise that some of the people who have been tarnished or damaged have made a valuable contribution to greyhound racing.

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