Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to speak generally first and then to speak on the Bill later in the afternoon. I would like to be associated with the sympathies following the death of Pat Eddery. He was from Newbridge and he passed away yesterday at 63 years of age, a young man. Those of us who grew up in the industry will always remember Pat Eddery and some of the great horses he rode down through the years. In particular, I have fond memories of his ride on Dancing Brave to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. I also remember him at the Curragh, where he won the Irish Derby three times. He won at many racetracks here when he was associated with Vincent O'Brien, for whom he was a stable jockey for six years.

The reward he brought to not only those who went to see him but to others too was immense. There was a lady in my area who would always like to have a flutter of a Yankee every day. Unusually, she did not back horses, only jockeys. The jockey she followed all the time was Pat Eddery. Invariably, that Yankee would come up on a regular basis. The man had in excess of 4,000 winners over the years and won multiple classics. He was champion jockey 11 times in the United Kingdom. We should be proud to be associated with him. My sympathies go to his family on the sad occasion of his passing.

I thank the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, for their support for the horseracing industry. Almost 4,000 people are employed in the horse racing industry in Kildare, either directly or those associated with the three racetracks. Deputy Catherine Murphy will know that in Kildare North we have a racetrack and a bit. The racetrack is in Naas and there is a bit of the track in Punchestown in Kildare North. Deputy Martin Heydon has a racetrack and a large bit of one, namely, the Curragh and Punchestown.

I was in the Curragh the other day for the announcement of the support for the funding of the new development of the Curragh racetrack. There will also be support for the track at Naas, where HRI is forwarding a grant of €1 million. This will be supplemented by €1.4 million from the racetrack company in respect of the development of Naas Racecourse. I hope that Punchestown might also gain from the capital fund.

The fund has been reducing over the years. This is the first time it has been increased and that is welcome. As I said, some 4,000 people are employed in the racing industry in Kildare. Most are in the training stables. I am beside one such place, where Ted Walsh works. He is a well known racing commentator. That stable has produced a grand national winner and an Irish grand national winner. I will return to the debate this afternoon when I hope to make a further contribution.

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