Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Today, our contributions will focus on the horrific cruelty to animals associated with the greyhound industry but it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge how corrosive gambling is to those who find themselves locked in its vice-like grip. My colleague, Deputy Cairns, requested that each Deputy declare if he or she has a conflict of interest regarding the greyhound industry or associated industries. I will declare my own interest. In my time in university I spent several years working in bookmakers. At first, it was just a job but one cannot help but see each weekend and evening how corrosive the industry is to the lives and humanity of those who find themselves in its all-encompassing grip. A gambling addiction afflicts people at every stage of their lives. Often times, it is silent. It works across demographics and afflicts people in rural and urban areas. We cannot separate the cruelty of this sport from the impact it has on people across the country.

This week, 29 dog racing meetings are taking place across the country. On average, there are about ten races per card, although some have more. We can reasonably estimate that well over 300 dog races will take place this week in Ireland. That does not take into consideration the fact that every bookmaker's shop will also screen every dog race meeting in England, Scotland, Wales, Australia and anywhere else these meetings are taking place. Just before a little bell rings and the dogs go off in each race, someone will come to the counter and put €10, €20 or €50 on the race. Inevitably, we will see the problems associated with the industry inflicted on that person. Each person who walks into a bookmaker's shop has a little bit of happiness in him or her but over the course of the day, one will see that eroded. The gambling industry is draining, both for individuals and the economy. In 2017, Irish people gambled €9.8 billion, which is €379.51 per head, with a total loss of €1.3 billion, much of which comes out of household budgets.

Deputies who disagree with us on this motion will point to the levies accrued from the industry. This is a moral issue, not simply an issue of how we fund the Exchequer. Since 2001 alone, the taxpayer has given more than €1.5 billion to the greyhound industry. This is an industry that is not sustainable.

We will be told that this is a way of life for communities in rural Ireland. The 29 dog meetings that will take place this week will be empty, not just because of the pandemic but because that has been the case for most of them in recent years. Communities do not socialise or bond at dog meetings. They are relatively empty. Deputy Cairns has already pointed out that attendances have fallen significantly. However, race meetings are being funnelled into each and every bookmaker shop and people are having their lives destroyed as a consequence.

Many Government Deputies have previously described the greyhound industry as abhorrent. It does not become any less abhorrent because someone is sitting at Cabinet. This is an industry that has long since passed its sell-by date. It does not reflect who we are as a Republic. It is corrosive not only to the animals which are suffering as a consequence of it but also to the human beings who are on the receiving end of its more negative aspects, such as the addiction that is associated with it. The people who benefit from the industry play off that addiction. The dogs killed as a consequence are viewed as par for the course.

The Social Democrats introduced this motion because it is long since time the practice stopped. All we ask, however, is that the increase in funding be reallocated to animal welfare. This is an issue each of us can get behind. The motion must be agreed. It reflects who we are as a Republic. I call on all Deputies not to leave their principles at the door just because they walked into the Chamber alongside people with whom they claim to disagree at times.

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