Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil supports this proposal. The horse and greyhound racing sectors are two industries of which we in this country can justifiably be proud. The funding allocated to them is some of the best money spent by the Exchequer. In 2016 the two industries contributed €50 million in betting taxation, which represented an increase of some €20 million in the wake of the provisions set out in the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015. I am confident the revenue will have increased again this year. Nevertheless, there is scope for us to review how the industries are taxed, particularly in view of the growth in betting exchanges and the increase in activity by the very large multinational bookmaking operations.

A tax rate of 1% is extremely low. However, in making any change to the taxation regime we must be very conscious of the position of track bookmakers. Some of them have started to use betting exchanges in an attempt to boost their turnover, but they are essentially a vanishing species. In reviewing how the taxation system operates we should consider whether we can do anything to help their survival. Track bookmakers are an integral part of the social aspect of horse and greyhound racing and bring a unique perspective to events. If we were to lose them and move towards a tote monopoly, we would lose a huge part of the industry and our heritage. We must find ways to help them to survive, as well as the small independent bookmakers who are also getting scarce in numbers. We need to find imaginative ways to secure tax revenue in a way that is fair to all operators. Following a substantial drop in revenue during the recession, there is great scope for revenue generation from both industries. I imagine that in the near future what we gain from them in taxation will be on par with what the State invests in the industries.

The Minister referred to the forthcoming greyhound industry Bill which is urgently required. There have been various controversies in recent years where a dog was found to have been given this or that substance. These revelations are doing unknown damage to the industry's reputation. We need legislation that will allow us to offer a robust defence of the integrity of the industry. If people are using prohibited substances, there should be stringent ways of dealing with the issue. The long delays between when a report is made on an animal being treated with a substance and the imposition of a fine or sanctions for such behaviour must be addressed.

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