Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

For their own reasons, some people love to take advantage of opportunities to criticise others but the achievements made under the chairmanship of Paschal Taggart must be acknowledged. I do not know Mr. Taggart very well, although I met him on a few occasions. Most of those directly involved in the greyhound industry are appreciative of the role he played and the changes he introduced. It is important that we acknowledge these changes and express sincere appreciation for his and other members' foresight. They have encouraged many more people to become involved in the industry, which for a long time had to struggle with the same old faces, limited prize money, poor attendance and facilities in need of modernisation.

The changes made in recent years are due in many respects to the funding provided when this House enacted the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. Funding has been secured for the horse and greyhound racing industries, making the task of planning for the future a little easier. One of the smaller parties in this House tends to criticise the Government for the stance it has taken in that regard, although most of the contributors to the debate on the Act were happy with the proposals being made.

The matter is often depicted as if we were giving the money directly to the horses or their wealthy owners but the greyhound and horse racing industries employ a large number of people, even if they are not the best paid workers in the country. I have been personally involved with the Stable Staff Association and have seen the changes which have taken place. For a long time, many workers in the industry were abused by their employers but their terms have changed for the better in recent years. We should be conscious of that instead of making rash statements. Deputies have responsibilities and they should not abuse their positions by making wild accusations.

I acknowledge Deputy Deenihan's love for and understanding of the greyhound industry but he has been somewhat premature in respect of this Bill. The Government supports all aspects of greyhound racing and that is appreciated by everyone involved in the industry, from the small owner and breeder to the thousands of spectators who enjoy the racing experience at tracks across the country. The Government's introduction of the horse and greyhound racing fund dramatically changed the landscape by transforming what was a struggling sport into a high quality and well financed industry with state of the art facilities for trainers, owners, dogs and paying customers.

The sport can only thrive on the basis of trust and integrity on the part of those involved. Spectators and punters must be satisfied that a dog's performance, whether it wins or loses, is genuine and truly reflects the animal's abilities and talents. Once trust and confidence are lost, everything else goes. Every effort should be made to improve the procedures and levels of integrity in the area of dope testing. The record of this Government cannot be matched when it comes to ensuring that Irish sports are conducted in an environment of fair play and integrity. Prior to the Government's establishment in 1999 of the Irish Sports Council as a statutory body responsible for the promotion and development of sport in Ireland, we did not have a national anti-doping programme. We can now boast of having one of the best anti-doping programmes in the world and of procedures which the World Anti-Doping Agency holds up to other countries as a model to be copied. This commitment by the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism to the highest standards of integrity, transparency and fair play is no less evident in his approach to greyhound racing and his insistence that the most effective and appropriate procedures are put in place in Bord na gCon.

Given that the Minister requested Mr. Dalton to address this area in his report, it would not have been unreasonable to expect Deputy Deenihan to wait a short while to allow this critical issue to be given the attention it deserves. The Minister has urged everyone concerned to desist from public comment so that Mr. Dalton's work can be finalised. It is a pity that did not happen. The people mentioned in the report should be afforded adequate time to make their observations and for the Government to decide on the best response. We all share Deputy Deenihan's concern for this industry, which forms an important element in the economic, sporting and social lives of Irish people. However, we also want to act properly with regard to integrity and regulatory functions in the organisation of the sport. Jumping the gun does not serve the interest of the Irish greyhound industry in any meaningful way. There will be a time and a place to address these issues in a calm and constructive manner but today is not the time.

I thank all those involved in the greyhound industry because the recent radical changes to the sport have not happened by accident. A night out at the dogs is a family event which can be enjoyed equally by a five or a 95 year-old. I wish the industry continued prosperity and look forward to attending many tracks over the summer months.

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