Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I respect the right of the Social Democrats to bring forward the motion; we live in a democracy. Nevertheless, I strenuously oppose their views and will do so with every breath in my body. Yesterday, the party posted a video to social media that had been recorded at the gates of Leinster House. It featured a lurcher. It clearly illustrated the lack of understanding the Social Democrats have about the exact role that this industry plays in rural Ireland. I am privileged to have owned greyhounds and I also have the leg of a horse from time to time. It is part of our heritage and culture. I am not going to talk about the economics of it but it is part of rural Ireland. If the Social Democrats get their way on greyhound racing, what target will be next? Will it be point-to-point racing, hunting, shooting or fishing? These are all sports that we grew up with and that we will defend. They are part of our heritage.

Yesterday, the Minister appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, which I am privileged to chair, and the opportunity was there for Members of Dáil Éireann and the Seanad to cross-examine him about what the money is being spent on and where it is going. We had a detailed discussion on the fund and the committee referred the matter back to the Dáil and the Seanad, where it will be voted on, as is the democratic process.

This is not about the money, however. It is about a way of life and our heritage, and we will not take any more. Rural Ireland and people who love their sports have taken enough. A strict line is being drawn on our pursuits. I will leave out the economics. The regulations are there and are being stringently enforced. There has been much talk of the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. Some of that footage was recorded outside this jurisdiction, while other parts were very dated. There is no place for people who break the regulations. We have a strictly regulated industry and will defend it to the last.

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