Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

Some 85% of the thoroughbreds that are bred in this country are exported. That brings a substantial amount of money into this country. We should not focus on the fact that people like the Maktoums, the Aga Khan and John Magnier may be based off shore. They have significant enterprises in this country. They provide large-scale employment and pay a great deal of tax. It should be recognised that we live in a European Union of 27 member states. People are entitled to live in any part of the 27 member states, as they wish. All that matters is that their enterprises here are providing employment. The people I have mentioned are providing large-scale employment in parts of the country that need it. They are contributing to the Irish economy through those jobs.

It is up to the Members of this House to deal with the issue of the lack of control of offshore and on-line betting. The United States has dealt with it by banning the use of credit cards for betting purposes. One cannot engage in on-line betting unless one uses one's credit card. If those involved in such activities are not prepared to contribute to the fund, I will propose the introduction of a similar ban here. In the US, Japan and France, the racing industry owns its own gambling product and all profits come back into the industry. In Australia, all off-course betting is controlled by state-licensed tote betting. The only people who have to contribute to the levy are on-course bookmakers. Ireland and Britain are unique in that we have given many people licences to make substantial profits without expecting them to contribute to a fund that supports those who own, train and ride horses and those who own racecourses. I have no sympathy for bookmakers who moan and groan about the 2% levy. Incidentally, it does not come out of their pockets - they can build it into the odds they lay. If they can deduct 5% of on-line bets for themselves, they can deduct 2% for the levy just as easily. If we had such a system, there would be no suggestion that the taxpayer funds racing. The taxpayer does not fund the racing industry. It is funded from a levy, as it should be. Nobody in the horse racing, bloodstock or greyhound racing industries wants taxpayers to put their hands in their pockets to provide prize money.

We should go a little further. The Exchequer funds generated by the racing industry, for example through employment, far exceed the State moneys that go into the industry. Many other industries get all sorts of State support. The horse racing industry does not get grants from Europe or anywhere else. The Curragh racecourse in County Kildare, which is represented by Deputy Stagg, is a perfect example of the magnificent establishments I am talking about. I hope it will soon be the greatest example of a racecourse in Ireland. It will bring in a significant amount of money. Somebody told me recently that the Galway and Punchestown racing festivals are worth a combined €105 million to their local economies.

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