Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)

There are several elephants in the room that were not mentioned at all, one of which is betting tax. The Minister indicated there is no figure potentially available for the coming year for betting tax. The Irish Bookmakers Association predicts it could be €30 million, leaving a shortfall of €30 million from direct Exchequer funding. This shortfall will be made up from funding for other sporting organisations and the Department's general Vote.

All Members are supportive of the horse and greyhound racing industries and recognise they are hugely important to the economy, particularly in rural areas. The point is where the funding for the industry comes from and how it is put in place to ensure the industry can be sustained without taking it from direct Exchequer funding, as was intended originally until the change in the 2001 to the rules.

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