Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

-----there was time available on this topic. I am pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words on this very important issue. The Minister mentioned the south east where the industry is a significant employer. Nationally, over 30,000 people are employed in the horse business, from animal and foal production to the maintenance and breaking of animals, racing and all aspects of the industry. The industry is hugely underestimated in respect of the numbers of people it employs and now we have the opportunity to talk about it.

It is important to note there are issues which may be misrepresented. There is a belief that people in the horse industry pay no tax. I heard people in recent days claiming that nobody in the industry pays tax. It is crazy. People who should be in the know, who should know better, must state that everybody in this industry, farriers, vets, farmers, jockeys - a group we must admire - is paying tax and working very hard. I live in a centre where many of these people operate and they are the most committed and dedicated people in any business or sport.

We should talk up this industry. There is another aspect to it. At a time when the economy is going through great difficulty and people will not have as much money as before to go on holidays all over the world, there are a great number of race meetings that people can enjoy, and holiday festivals in counties Cork, Kerry, Galway. There is Tramore, of course.

See this speech in context