John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

While Bord na gCon's laboratory testing services are available to them, the uptake thus far has been disappointing. It is true that a significant number of dogs from the North race in the South and they pick up approximately 15% of the prize money every year. The breeding of greyhounds is regulated by the Irish Coursing Club for all of Ireland, although there has been a lack of co-ordination following the introduction of artificial insemination in the North, which remains unregulated in the South.

We would generally favour tracks in the North being subjected to the same standard of regulation as those in this State. I would like to see the industry being developed in the North and treated equally, subject to the inclusion of income streams derived in the North, or the tote, to fund that industry.

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