Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Labour Party for sharing two minutes of its time with me.

Coming from an area in north Kerry hugely involved in the greyhound industry, I am acutely aware of the value of the industry locally and nationally. I do not believe anyone could deny the value of the horse and greyhound sector to this country. Thousands of people are employed in the industry which generates a significant part of national income and revenue intake. There are, therefore, good grounds for channelling revenue from betting to support both sports.

It is also the case, however, that other sports have been subject to massive cuts this year. I refer in particular to the scrapping of the sports capital fund for 2009 which has deprived many sports clubs involved in a wide range of sports of vital funding. It is ironic that a Government whose members are falling over themselves to be seen with boxers who won Olympic gold medals is not doing its level best to ensure that clubs like St. Xavier's and others will have the facilitates to cater for all the young people inspired by Darren Sutherland and Kenny Egan.

I suggest - unfortunately it is not possible to do so by way of an amendment - that part of the money accrued to this fund through betting tax be used to revive the sports capital fund and that the Government make up the shortfall to ensure a fund of at least €50 million. The sports capital fund has proved invaluable to small clubs throughout the country. Given that there is within the horse and greyhound industry a sector addicted to gambling, some money should be provided to assist such people.

While greyhound and horse racing tracks, which are the centre of so many domestic jobs, should not be at a loss, a case can be made in regard to public support for the big prize money events in horse racing, in particular when much of that prize money is won by people who are not resident here, some of whom, ironically, are Irish citizens but do not pay tax. There is no reason that the rest of us should contribute to increase their incomes. In light of the attack on the livelihood's of ordinary people, the Government needs to take a closer look at this fund and to ensure resources from those who do not need it at the top end of the racing and local sports clubs is reallocated to the sports capital fund. At the same time, we must ensure that the requirements of tracks and stadiums around the country are maintained in order to sustain many jobs connected with the industry.

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