Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is worth making the point - we discussed this issue last week - that the budget given out by the Minister for Justice to support organisations providing support to women suffering from violence is only a fraction of the overall budget for the greyhound racing. It says a lot about our society that we think more of this cruel industry than we do of protecting women who are very vulnerable.

Having read the Minister's statement, it strikes me that he is basically making a Keynesian argument to justify funding for this industry in that it returns more to the Exchequer than it costs as it stimulates economic activity in different areas. The Minister needs to spell out exactly what he means. My father was an avid greyhound racing fan and I remember going as a child with him to Harold's Cross greyhound racing stadium. From what I saw there, most of the economic activity was at the Tote booth where people were putting on bets. If that is the activity to which the Minister is referring, he needs to spell that out.

Even in a classical Keynesian argument, however, the €1 billion spent since 2000, to which the Minister referred, could have been spent on more worthwhile projects that would have benefited the people of rural Ireland in a real way, for example, the western rail corridor. If there is that much worry about rural Ireland, surely thought could be given to doing that in a more sustainable way. This money could be spent on renewable projects and public housing on public land. That would definitely stimulate the economy without inflicting the unbelievable cruelty emanating from this industry, to which previous speakers referred.

In comments that a fully endorse, Nuala Donlan, a spokesperson for Greyhound Action Ireland, stated:

Instead of ending funding, they have sanctioned an increase of €2.4 million on last year's figure, thus ensuring the widespread abuse and killing of unwanted dogs by this industry will continue. It is hugely regrettable that the Green Party has now become complicit in propping up an activity that inflicts such suffering and death on the beautiful, gentle greyhound.

It is worth noting that the organisation was also highly critical of the Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett, in particular. Deputy Shane Cassells of Fianna Fáil, another Government party, was quoted as saying at a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts attended by Bord na gCon that it was "galling" and "sticks in the craw" that this much public money goes to this industry. He also said that more people were on the home help waiting lists than attended dog racing in his constituency. That is an important point. The issues which really affect society are being ignored for the benefit of a tiny few who gain from this industry. The point made by that Fianna Fáil Deputy and the opposition shown in the past by the Green Party should be highlighted because they are now being utterly hypocritical, as we will see from how they will vote on the motion.

I thank the Social Democrats for tabling the motion. I take the point made about the horse racing industry. More money is being spent on the horse and greyhound racing industries on the basis that they stimulate the economy. There are far better ways to stimulate the economy than by inflicting gross cruelty on innocent animals. We know that not spending that money would obviously hurt some people who are passionate about greyhound racing, but the point is that we must get our priorities right. We fully endorse the motion.

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