David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I propose to share time with Deputies Hogan and Tom Hayes. No one can dispute Deputy Deenihan's interest in and knowledge of sport, particularly this area. He has been committed to the industry for many years and in 1999 he promised to publish a Bill. It is important this is debated now because this is the last opportunity we will have to debate a Private Members' Bill before the end of the Dáil term. Deputy Deenihan has generously given Private Member's time to put this Bill before the House. This should be noted, as doubts have been raised with regard to the industry.

The Dalton report, mentioned not by Deputy Deenihan initially but ad nauseam by the Government, has put a cloud of doubt over the industry. This must be lifted. The best way to do that is with this Bill. I am amazed the Government, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in particular, has come in to rubbish, more or less, what Fine Gael is trying to do.

Three issues are involved. These relate to the corporate governance of Bord na gCon, banned substances and a separate issue. The first two are the major factors, and they are on two separate tracks. It should be possible to deal with doping regulations separately. It would be important to have this Bill on the Statute Book. The Minister has stated he would be happy to engage with Deputy Deenihan on aspects of his proposal if and when he was in a position to do so. Everyone accepts that action must be carried out. The Government has not put forward any valid reason for it not being done. It has mixed up and confused two separate issues for its own end.

I spoke to somebody this morning involved in the Youghal greyhound racing track in my constituency. I am pleased to state that Bord na gCon will invest significantly in that track. Although it is a small track, it is very important to Youghal. We have recently been decimated in Youghal because of closures in industry. The greyhound track is one of the biggest industries in the town. I have been told that €250,000 is being made immediately available for stands and kennels, and this will upgrade facilities so people can have a meal and a nice evening there. It is a fantastic area down by the sea.

I was told that only for Mr. Paschal Taggart, the track would have caravans on it and be growing water lilies. There was much support for Bord na gCon and what it has done over the past number of years. Mr. Taggart created possibilities, not only in Youghal but across the country.

The UK has a flying squad which is independent. Deputy Deenihan is proposing a similar section, independent within Bord na gCon, to regulate the industry with regard to doping and illegal drugs, which is crucial. This is probably the final opportunity before the summer recess to debate this legislation and bring it forward. If we must wait for the Government to bring legislation forward, we will be waiting for the next Dáil, or perhaps beyond that. I do not see any opportunity to do it next year. I ask the Government not to go against the Bill and allow it to go forward. If it needs to be amended later, we have much of the work done already.

It does not make any sense for the Government not to accept the Bill. It should co-operate with Members on all sides of the House. All Members, including those in Government, have stated that legislation such as this is necessary, important and positive. Nobody on the Government side has explained how this legislation interferes with due process. It does not, and it is a separate issue. This could go forward as such.

The Government has raised the Dalton report, all aspects of which have been made available in the press. It has been leaked. Perhaps there should be an inquiry as to how that happened, who leaked it and why it was done. I understand the report recommends that a control committee should become a committee of three, independent of Bord na gCon, which should have an appeal mechanism. This is being proposed in the Bill. The Government is missing a golden opportunity to advance the issue. It is playing politics with the issue, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism is missing an important opportunity.

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