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

The horse racing industry has been before us as a topic on many occasions, both here and in committees. The €80 million spent on these two industries is a huge revenue investment by society. We all understand we have to invest to reap a reward at a future date and plenty has been made of the return we get on it, but many feel the amount the industry receives is worth discussing. It is seen as a club for very rich people and people feel not enough is being done to help those at the other end of the scale. I come from a rural community and we all know people who are involved in the industry, who have a couple of old nags and try their best but fail all the time and some support has to be given to them as it is not being given currently.

Last year we looked at the money given to the horse racing industry and saw that a lot of it ended up in prize money. At big race events we can see who collects this prize money and I do not think it is a good use of public money. We should not be putting such sums of money into the industry until there is reform and the only way we can protest at what is going on is by saying in this House that we do not support the amount being put into the greyhound and horse racing industry in this context. We have talked about bad management but it goes further than just mistakes being made. A lot of the things happening are intentional and designed to enrich a small group in the industry. That is wrong and we need to stand up to it.

All that is going on in respect of testing and doping in the greyhound industry is obscene. I remember people protesting with their greyhounds about the closure of Harold's Cross greyhound stadium and that is another example of a sector within the industry which is simply not working right. We have reports and other things are coming up, but, at the end of the day, nobody is getting the people responsible for this into line. Until we can ensure these things are done properly, I suggest we do not support the motion.

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