Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A principal officer in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently stated that coursing is regulated under the greyhounds Acts from 1958 to 2019, subject to the general control and direction of Greyhound Racing Ireland. Under the Greyhound Racing Act 2019, a greyhound is defined as a dog entered into the Irish greyhound stud book. All greyhounds that race, whether on the track or coursing, are entered into that book. Therefore, the definition of a greyhound includes both track and coursing dogs, so coursing should be covered under greyhound racing and therefore be exempt under level 5 restrictions.

What is the difference between this activity and horse racing, for example? There is no difference whatever. It is run in a regulated fashion and if the Tánaiste studies the facts, he will see the Government was wrong in the decision it took at midnight last night. The National Parks and Wildlife Service should be notified immediately that the licences issued should be revalidated from today. What has been done is actually incorrect.

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