Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Labour Party is acutely aware of the importance of the greyhound and horse racing industries across the country for economic activity, employment and leisure and we have supported the allocation of funds to the industries in the past 20 years or so, as we do this evening for HRI and Bord na gCon. We are nonetheless eager to get to the point where there is a long-term funding structure in place, for the horse racing industry, in particular. This can be achieved by pursuing correct policies and it will mean savings for the Exchequer. The horse racing industry's aim is to become self-financing and be able to stand on its own feet without the necessity of Exchequer funding, which would then be available for other important areas where it is much needed.

We have engaged in detailed submissions on the greyhound industry in the past year on proposed legislation and we have focused on significant welfare issues which must be addressed in any legislative intervention. Of equal importance is the question of probity and integrity at all levels of the greyhound industry. Shortcomings, failures, excuses and failures to follow up on investigations and inspections are no longer acceptable. Following the prelegislative scrutiny debates, all stakeholders in the industry are on notice that co-operation and significant improvement in these areas must be forthcoming. If there are no improvements, funding should be reviewed and discontinued.

I note the disposal of Harold's Cross stadium and hope Bord na gCon will not be found wanting in helping out some small, rural greyhound tracks which kept going in adverse economic circumstances. Mullingar greyhound stadium needs some assistance for vital infrastructural investment in order that it can continue to provide vital facilities for the public and entertainment. It is an important track and I trust funding will be forthcoming from Bord na gCon and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I have raised the publication of the Indecon report and we support its recommendations, in particular that pertaining to the Irish Harness Racing Association, which is made up of a very constructive and responsible group of people who have already set about implementing recommendations in a very focused way, notwithstanding the failure of the Department and other stakeholders in allocating them resources. The Irish Harness Racing Association has made multiple requests for funding assistance as it needs seed funding of some €720,000, with a further €2 million in capital funding.

Brexit will have serious implications for the thoroughbred racing industry and the breeding industry. The Irish racing and breeding industry is in many ways dependent on Britain as our main market and the sector is considerably exposed in the event of a hard Brexit. The horse racing and breeding industries of the United Kingdom and Ireland operate as one with horses, trainers and riders regularly moving between both jurisdictions. Horse Racing Ireland has informed us that thoroughbred racing has always operated on an all-island basis and foals born in Northern Ireland carry the IRE suffix, rather than the GB suffix. Two of Ireland's 26 racecourses are based in Northern Ireland, with 22 fixtures annually. All trainers in Northern Ireland are licensed by the Irish Turf Club and races there are staged under the Turf Club's rules of racing. Approximately 90% of runners in these fixtures are trained in the Republic and horses move on a daily basis; therefore, a return to a hard Border would seriously disrupt this movement. The two countries also operate as a single entity for stud book purposes.

Some 65% of our foals are exported and 80% of these exports are to Britain; therefore, it is the single biggest market for bloodstock and is a huge revenue generator. Some €225 million or €230 million was generated by exported thoroughbreds. Some 80% of this would be at risk due to trade issues following the vote in favour of Brexit. Exchange rate volatility is important. I have been very cantankerous with regard to media rights, as people know, and from 2019 to 2023, media rights will be paid in sterling. That will be a significant risk to income, that is, the exchange rates and so on. I do not want to see Kilbeggan, Ballinrobe, Roscommon and all those small racecourses losing out. I agree with Deputy Martin Kenny. It is no use putting a lot of this prize money into where the snobby crowd is always cleaning up. I am worried about people like Peter Downes who breed horses and work hard. They are top class breeders, especially in the jumps industry. I am an advocate for the jumps industry. The wealthy crowd is in the flat industry. I would look after people who are involved in the real race course. In Britain-----

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