Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The greyhound fraternity and the Irish Greyhound Board have expressed shock and disappointment at the decision of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to suspend the promotion of greyhound racing in the national and international tourism markets. This will have a significant impact on many areas in rural Ireland, particularly those that depend on a strong greyhound industry.

I do not for a minute defend any cruelty towards animals and there are allegations of animal cruelty by a very small minority within the greyhound industry. This must be fully investigated by the appropriate authorities and stamped out. I would fully support that. I would not condone violence towards animals in other sports such as showjumping, horse racing and so on. However, this is focused specifically on the greyhound industry and many people feel, as I do, that the small boys and girls of the sporting industry in the country are being victimised by this decision.

The greyhound industry provides support and considerable employment, directly and indirectly, across the Irish economy and, in particular, in more rural parts of the country. The gross wage bill attributed to employment in the industry is estimated at €126 million. PAYE-PRSI pay per annum is estimated at €12.7 million. The net income generated by the industry is estimated at €113.8 million. Using a conservative income multiplier effect of 0.5, this would result in a total economic impact of €171 million per annum in additional spending. That is the type of money that is going into rural Ireland.

Many of us who come from rural communities are well aware of our local greyhound industry. Local greyhound tracks provide a facility for charitable organisations to run functions that benefit those organisations. Much money has been provided to University Hospital Kerry as a result of greyhound meetings organised by Kerry Hospice, the Friends of University Hospital Kerry and other charitable organisations. It is of significant financial support to those sectors.

This suspension of promotion of the industry will have economic consequences. More than 30,000 people come from overseas to attend greyhound meetings and that tourism will be lost. Over 12,000 people derive the economic benefits of the greyhound industry and could be the subjects of job losses. For the Minister to criminalise an entire sector because of the actions of a few unscrupulous individuals is scandalous. The same could happen in the showjumping or horse racing industries, or any other sector where animals are used for sport and entertainment. It is terribly wrong and an insult to the genuine individuals who are providing an amenity for the people in their respective areas. The Minister needs to reconsider this decision. He needs to talk to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. This decision is penalising 99% of genuine, decent people because of the actions of the few. If the greyhound sector is going to be penalised, other sectors should also be penalised accordingly and I am quite certain that will not happen.

See this speech in context