Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

-----to allow younger people, in particular, to attend. Gambling is going on and there is a compulsion about it among younger people. However, on the race course it is regulated and that is the place to go, whether for horse racing or for dogs.

I am conscious that the Minister is very anxious to speak but this industry needs to be protected. It is a good industry and we have the wrong impression about it. We should be proud of it. I live in the heart of it and I am proud of every person who works in the industry. We should talk it up at a time when the economy is going through difficulty.

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