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

I dispute that, in particular when one looks at the Indecon report which was published a number of years ago. Practically nothing in that report has been implemented. On the notion that there is a plan in place, the reality is that Indecon was that plan and it has not been implemented in any sense. In truth, the vast majority of small breeders and guys out there who have a few horses and are struggling to get by get little or nothing out of this. I have spoken to them. It all goes to an elite at the top in the hope that it will trickle down. We all know what trickle-down economics has done in this country. It has simply not worked because everything spirals to the top. It is continuing to do so in this industry. We need to look at alternative ways to fund the industry, one of which is the betting tax. The betting tax must be increased to try to bring in more money and help the people at the bottom. It is inappropriate that so much taxpayers' money is going into this sector with so little return.

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