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

There is no reference to point-to-point racing in the memorandum of understanding. That is my point. The memorandum of understanding was subsequently approved at a joint meeting of the stewards and governing bodies. Given that stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee were not present at the negotiations between the two Ministers, it is clear that point-to-point racing was not discussed as part of the transfer provided for at that time.

We must not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I understand that integrity is a very important aspect and I support many of the provisions of the Bill. The Turf Club and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee currently have two streams of income.

Those are a reimbursement from HRI of the integrity service cost for racecourses and point to points and income from licence services. Any surplus arising from the licence is retained and invested. All costs associated with the running of the office's indirect costs are split between integrity and licensing. This was agreed with HRI ten years ago and was based on certain criteria. The cost of integrity is reduced on an annual basis by income from fines imposed for rule breaches or charges imposed in relation to the provision of integrity services such as sampling and stable inspections and the reimbursement from HRI net of this income. As such, I want to make sure that the important point to point races at Castletown Geoghegan and Durrow and the ones beside the Minister in Cork are not left out on a shelf and the volunteers made to feel a big body is coming in to swipe away their functions.

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