Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

We are the best. The value of such a reputation when showcasing Ireland around the world is incalculable. Not to support this industry, and not to seek every possible way to ensure its continuance, would definitely amount to shooting ourselves in the foot. The trouble is that every job, from the farm in Kilkenny to the racecourse at Leopardstown, is sustained by the size of the purse on the racecourse. That is the paymaster for the entire sector through the chain of activities. If the prize is not attractive enough, there is no reason to raise a horse, much less to breed or train it, and the industry will ultimately die. No venue is in a position to provide solely from gate receipts the type of prize money that will sustain such expensive and risky undertakings. Other countries recognise this and support the industry through a levy on betting. It was folly to reduce the levy in this State in recent years. There must be a rapid return to a situation where the industry levy fully funds horse and greyhound racing. That is what the industry and taxpayers want.

There has been significant growth in Internet betting and the use of offshore servers. We must seek with all speed and ingenuity to capture some of that levy. The providers of offshore services are gaining at the expense of the ordinary bookmaker. However, the reality is that ordinary bookmakers are still taking in some €3.5 billion in turnover, which means there is potential for the industry to be self-sustaining. Bookmakers are piggybacking on an investment made by others. It is only right that they should make a contribution to the industry that gives them a lucrative reason for being.

It is incorrect and damaging to the industry and to the jobs it sustains to suggest that the small amount the Exchequer will contribute this year in supplementing the fund comes at the expense of other sports. This is not true except in so far as every cent spent for any purpose is at the expense of something else. One could argue that money given to the IDA, for cystic fibrosis services or for the provision of schools is given at the expense of sport. However, nobody is suggesting we should throw all those services to the wind. Nevertheless, just because this argument is inaccurate does not mean it is not persuasive, which is why it is being used by some to pursue a particular agenda.

I have suggested on several occasions that the allocation to the fund should not appear in the Department's accounts under the sports heading but should instead be included under tourism, for example. There must be a recognition of the importance of the jobs provided by the industry. The reason for supporting it is the jobs it provides. It is vital to our economy, both urban and rural, and a major employer in a variety of sectors across the continuum from production of animal feed to tourism in Leopardstown. Fine Gael is determined to support the industry.

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