Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I welcome this Bill and compliment the Minister on taking a reasonable and sensible approach. I also thank him for visiting my constituency some time ago to see the greyhound track and the facilities provided there.

Lest we get carried away with condemnation and so forth, it is a very valuable industry as well as an important way of life, certainly in south Tipperary, west Waterford and east Cork. It was mainly families who were involved in the breeding and training of greyhounds and bringing them to race at tracks. There is also a social aspect to that. It is a huge industry that provides more than 11,000 jobs. We cannot take that lightly as 11,000 is no mean figure. In addition, €500 million has been invested in stadia throughout the country. Hopefully, the Minister will be able to find €1 million or so for the track in Clonmel. It is very important.

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