Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Whether or not foal levies are applied in other countries is not really the point. One might well ask whether other countries give €60 million per year towards the horse and greyhound racing industries. Ireland has its own structure in terms of supporting the racing industry. Indeed, I am not sure any other country in the world prioritises horse racing as much as we do. There are countries, like Britain and France, that have more wealth linked to horse racing in terms of private input, sponsorship and so on because they have larger audiences and they have links to betting tax and all the rest of it. We have a very supportive financial model for horse and greyhound racing which has helped to ensure the Irish thoroughbred industry remains a dominant force globally. Some 40% of thoroughbreds exported within the EU come from Ireland and we continue to be a hugely successful breeder of top thoroughbred horses. All the figures show that in terms of sales this year and so on.

Foal breeding is a small part of that large industry and it is right we should ask breeders to contribute. The calculation of the levy in terms of the rates, bands and structure must be handled by Horse Racing Ireland through its foal levy committee, in consultation with both big and small owners, to ensure we get the balance right. I have no problem with a change if that is what the industry wants, but we must ensure the levy remains simple to administer and easy to collect.

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