Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Greyhound racing is at the heart of rural Ireland. I know many ordinary people who have greyhound racing dogs and they are very good people. Limerick is lucky to have a state-of-the-art stadium for greyhound racing. I want to get rid of the myth that a night out at the dogs means the death of a dog or a hare. That is not factual. A mechanical hare is used.

People in this country are entitled to their traditions. We must consider the 12,500 people who are employed directly or indirectly. We have a minority of people who have no respect for their dogs and they need to be dealt with through the hard rigours of the law. However, we also have great people who are looking after their dogs, walking them and nurturing them. It should be noted that €95 million went into the Exchequer through the dog system and the people who care for their dogs. In 2018 and 2019, the sum of €6 million was raised for charities, for people that the Government cannot support, through the dog industry. The next thing the Social Democrats will be calling for is a ban on the cat chasing the mouse. For God's sake, wake up people.

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