Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The horse racing industry receives funding of €64 million per annum, with no expectation in terms of accountability. Every other sector that receives funding, be it the sheep sector in terms of the new sheep grant system and so on, is required to adhere to a particular set of conditions. For example, farmers are required to keep records and to meet particular outturns in terms of husbandry and so on. None of this regulation exists in the horse racing industry. Most of the funding provided by the State to Horse Racing Ireland is used as prize money in big races. We are speaking in this regard about taxpayers money being transferred into the hands of the wealthy elite. People have a problem with that. I am not suggesting that this industry does not deserve to be funded: it does. I accept it requires development, particularly in terms of small breeders, new markets for horses and so on but to hand over this level of funding to the industry and not require any accountability in that regard is totally inappropriate.

On the appointment of Mr. Kavanagh, the truth is that there was no business plan and nothing was put in place that could convince anyone that he was the best person for the job. It was simply an inside deal done by a handful of people and a question of pulling it over the line and getting it through. It has not worked. This shines a very bright light on an inappropriate way of doing business.

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