Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is still a major change for volunteers who will see the big boys come into the sport. The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee runs point-to-point racing by providing racing officials and voluntary stewards for each fixture. It also provides a comprehensive committee and administrative structure to deal with integrity and licensing issues. The sport has never experienced major problems, although the Minister may wish to point out some problems.

The Bill will require point-to-point participants to register with Horse Racing Ireland. This is an unwarranted interference in the running of an amateur sport, which is run successfully by the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. The provisions will irreparably damage point-to-point racing and its culture of volunteerism. This will be the first time in the history of the State that participants in amateur sport will be required to register with a State body. I played GAA at amateur level for 27 years, during which I was never required to register with a State body.

The Bill provides for the appropriation by Horse Racing Ireland of income derived from point-to-point racing. Is that not a major change? I had to collect a certificate from Cecil Ross's wife for point-to-point racing, for which I paid a registration fee that was reinvested in the sport.

See this speech in context