Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to contribute on this Bill. Before I start, my condolences go to the Eddery family.

Horse racing is a major money spinner and is important to rural Ireland, where the business has been handed down to breeders and trainers through the years. The amount of money that horse racing generates around the country is incredible. For example, approximately €200 million worth of horses are bred and exported each year. In my county of Roscommon, the Galway races are well known for the amount of money that they generate. This is great for the country, the Government and the people. We must protect the industry and handle it well.

Appointments have been made. I have been vocal on this issue down the years, in that our system of appointments should not be ministerial in nature or the like. We should always opt for the best person for a job. The process should have no ministerial involvement. Transparency must be to the forefront. People could be placed on interview boards who knew the ins and outs and how to determine the best person for a position. It should not come down to who one knows. This is something that should be the case in every walk of life.

The industry creates 16,000 jobs, which is vital. By the look of the situation, even more jobs are being created. Watching races in America, Australia and so forth on television, in which Irish horses, jockeys and trainers compete with the best, is a credit to them.

As a previous Deputy did, I welcome that the Minister or the Department can give the go-ahead for a forestry road, but how does the planning issue stand? If one builds a house, one must get the go-ahead from the local area engineer or submit a planning application for a new access road.

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