Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words on this important Bill. I commend Deputy Deenihan for having the courage to table a Bill that we can discuss. We all have the opportunity to discuss an industry about which much has been written, some of it unfair. This industry is vital to the economy. It brings in €300 million in revenue and over 1.3 million people attend dog tracks every year. That includes dog owners, dog breeders, trainers and the general public, who all support events in the different stadiums around the country.

Since Deputy Deenihan's time in office there has been much change in the industry. Under Paschal Taggart as chairman of Bord na gCon, the industry has gone from strength to strength. I attended the Produce stakes in Clonmel only a few weeks ago. That track was closed four years ago and greyhound racing was abandoned, but the place was chock-a-block that night with people interested in the industry. There were many young people having a good night out away from other troubles. There was also great pride for the people who won the race.

Parts of the Dalton report were leaked the weekend of that race and Paschal Taggart addressed the public at the meeting. It showed how much the Government is out of touch. The Minister for Arts, Sport, and Tourism slated Deputy Deenihan and that attitude was typical of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform last week when he showed he was out of touch with the people on the street. The Minister, Deputy O' Donoghue, is certainly out of touch because people want this industry sorted out. The Dalton report was leaked to every newspaper in the country and everybody knows what is in it. Deputy Deenihan is trying to put in place legislation that will help this industry.

Australia provides an example of a system where a dog can be tested on a weekend and the results delivered early the next week. We have excellent standards in technology and there is no reason we cannot put such a system in place. The reality is that the greyhound and coursing industries have been getting bad press due to a lack of knowledge. People have come into this House and have spoken of terrible things that have happened, but these things are against the law. I have heard of no-one that regulates and runs this industry that breaks the law. Only two weeks ago, I visited Newpark stud, owned by Mr. Seán Burke. Those who are opposed to this sport should visit this stud and see the professionalism he has brought to the business, such as using artificial insemination to produce the best dogs, cleanliness, hygiene and everything else that is used in the production system. Mr. Burke is now a top breeder, but there are many more like him and there is potential for more and more young people. As agriculture changes, there is an increasing need for such developments. Places like Newpark stud should be encouraged rather than knocked.

The people involved in the greyhound industry are very dedicated. They like their dogs, their entertainment and they like winning because they are competitive by nature. This industry needs support rather than negativity. Whether we are in Government or Opposition, we should be fair to the industry. It brings in a huge amount of revenue to the State and if 1.3 million people are attending dog races then the industry needs support. It is unfair to condemn it. If one drives a car on the Dublin to Cork road at 100 mph, then one is breaking the law. We are not differentiating between those people who are committed to the industry and those who are abusing it. The law is there for such people. There are bad apples in every orchard but we must support the industry. Deputy Deenihan's Bill is timely and I commend him in having the courage to bring it before the House. Anybody who criticises him is not facing reality and is out of touch with what is happening.

See this speech in context