Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be here as part of a Government that is introducing the Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015, which is an important piece of legislation.

Part of this Bill concerns the issue of forestry roads, which I would like to address before going into some detail on the horse racing industry. I acknowledge that a lot of work has gone into solving the difficulty of duplication between my Department, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Now that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is to take the lead role, it will cut out that duplication, as forestry roads have been a problem for many people for a long time. Many officials were involved in that work, but I wish to mention the efforts of an engineer who passed away in tragic circumstances. Mr. Peter Britton from Tipperary died while climbing in the Mont Blanc range of the French Alps almost 18 months ago. It would be only fitting for us to acknowledge his contribution and input into this matter. Some of his ideas helped us to reach a conclusion that will be of benefit to many private forestry owners around the country. I welcome the fact that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is now playing the lead role in this respect, thus making it easier for all those involved in the forestry sector.

The horse racing industry has a major impact on our country and Irish people have a passion for horses and racing. I grew up in a county in which the industry is deeply embedded, including among breeders. The horse racing sector is a leveller. Some people might say that only the wealthy are involved in horse racing, but that is not true. Everybody can be involved in the industry, which is great for the country. Some 18,000 people are employed in the equine sector around the country. Many rural parishes might have no other income but for agriculture, tourism, and horse racing and breeding. The Government must support the continued impact of the 18,000 people who are working in that industry.

We have proven in the past the importance of the export market for horses. At this time of year, one can see bloodstock sales taking place in Doncaster and Newmarket, as well as at Goffs, Tattersalls and elsewhere. Wherever they are, they represent fruitful breeding into which endless work has gone. That work includes preparing foals for sale at market, and those involved in it have a passion for breeding.

Their aim is to produce a foal that can probably go on and win a gold cup, grand national or derby. The impact of success and the relationship between a stable yard or breeding yard and the community as well as the associated pride is immense.

We are here today because the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, appointed Indecon to carry out a report to track the way forward for this industry and put a structure in place to improve the whole industry and make it more feasible. One thing that has come out of the process is the question of investment in the industry. In this budget and the previous budget, the extra money given to the Horse and Greyhound Fund will help to establish it in a better place. It will send out a message loud and clear that the Government is fully committed to helping this industry in future.

The most important issue that has arisen in recent years and that has now come to fruition is the five-year plan Horse Racing Ireland has produced for stadia and race tracks throughout the country. This includes investment in the Curragh, which is the flagship for the industry. The plan is to make the Curragh a place where we can go and bring people from throughout the world to see some of the greatest races in the world. The Curragh could take on and match other venues, in particular in Kentucky in the United States and the venue for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphein Paris. I welcome the investment not only by the Government but by HRI. The fact that major trainers and owners have put private money into the business and the fact that they have been forthcoming will ensures the future of the industry.

Not alone is the Curragh being developed, almost every other track in the country will see investment, including the tracks at Gowran Park, Tipperary, Galway, Leopardstown and many others throughout the country. Few tracks are without a mention in the report.

The investment is important for the public who go racing. It is important to have the facilities in place to bring tourists into Ireland. We can talk about the industry and the affect it has on farms and land throughout the country but the major impact and potential relates to when tourists come to Ireland. They can go to an evening meet in the Curragh, Leopardstown, Tipperary or Clonmel. People can have a splendid evening. That is where the potential to affect the community lies.

I live a few miles from Tipperary Racecourse. Years ago many people used to attend the races there. The numbers have fallen but the capacity and the facilities are in place now for that racecourse and many other racecourses throughout the country to attract people and give them a good evening's entertainment, something that is singularly worthwhile.

Deputy Catherine Murphy made some interesting points. She commented on the concern among some people because of the drop in the foal registration from 12,000 down to 8,000. That is a fact of the industry. However, I see it a different way. I believe there is an advantage in that. In the past, particularly during the good times, the number of mares who got in foal was high, despite the breeding. Now, the fact is that we only get a mare of good pedigree in foal and we can be certain she will produce a better type of foal. This is what we have to produce for the export market. I hope that the culling that has occurred to bring the figure down to the 7,000 base will be successful. The base we will be working at in future will produce a better foal for the export market. That is what we have to work at. There is big money and a big prize to be got. Greater prices are to be got when we have the right type of stock. There is money to be made.

There are significant costs as well. Deputy Murphy adverted to the foal levy and various costs. It is important that everyone contributes to the betterment of the industry. Prize money and marketing are all-important and they must be put in place. In the past two years I have come to know that this is about marketing the product throughout the world. The dairy industry has done a remarkably good job in that area. The Irish Dairy Board has put money into that and worked at it. The same thing has to happen with horses in Ireland. We have to market and sell the industry. We have to compete with the French and other producing countries. That is something people should keep in mind when they are paying a levy. Mostly, the foal levy is set at a reasonable rate for smaller producers. I take the point, however. It is something that might be looked at in future at some stage in respect of the point of sale. Everyone needs to contribute and we need money to be available to sell our foals into this industry. I have no doubt this industry can develop in future.

I will not take any more of Deputy Lawlor's time but my last point is important. It relates to betting and betting shops. This is another part of the industry we cannot overlook. Paddy Power and other major players such as BoyleSports have big shops and seem to be taking over as monopolies. We should not forget the small bookmakers who perhaps operate in a small village with one shop. I know one such man in Tipperary who happens to be a friend of mine, Seamus O'Dwyer. He runs a small shop.

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