Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I note from the report of last week's meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and the Marine that all bar one supported and approved the funding, having raised various queries and sought some assurances conducive to accountability measures and assurances from the Minister relating to horse and greyhound racing. The one objection, of course, was around the greyhound element of the funding, which is the democratic right of the person involved.

Like many others, these industries have been further supplemented this year owing to the pressures caused by Covid-19. Notwithstanding the figures of more than 15,000 jobs in the horseracing and breeding industry, and the 5,000 jobs associated with the greyhound racing and breeding industry, this fund underpins world-class and world-leading industries, as alluded to by many speakers here, which are the envy of many competing countries. It underpins economic activity across the State, bringing great joy and happiness, whether it is a business or a pastime, and whether it is viewed by supporters or benefiting the many charities and clubs by virtue of race nights and so on, as referred to by other Members.

I accept the issues raised around greyhound welfare at the joint committee and during last week's defeated motion cannot be ignored. They are not being ignored, however, with 10% of the €19.2 million budget, which is almost €2 million in funding, going towards improvements around greyhound care, improved traceability, and adoption programmes. The commitments remain conditional on improvements.

Nobody in opposition in this House or anywhere else has a monopoly on the right to raise issues associated with the welfare of animals. It was acknowledged by all parties during the course of negotiations for the programme for Government. This conditionality associated with the awarding of funds has been mentioned and is the case with this Government and the Minister with responsibility associated with it.

Of course, there are rogues in this industry. There are rogues in all industries. There are rogues in here too. The reporting of it has to be very careful also. As an owner, I was subject to ridicule for something that could not be substantiated but which made good press and good coverage, especially when it was associated with me and the role I was given initially in this Dáil.

The other issue raised at the joint committee last week was the financial strain associated with the greyhound racing industry. This cannot and should not be ignored either. It is and will be difficult to sustain the industry in its present form into the future. To protect the industry's long-term future and viability, industry participants, including the IGB, the stakeholders and the Department of Agriculture and Marine, should engage in a process to investigate and analyse the means and methods by which the industry can be sustained. This need not necessarily be in its current form of 16 tracks, which many in the industry realise and appreciate is not sustainable.

We, and the majority in this Dáil, are committed to the industry and to ensuring the Government plays its part in ensuring that it has a future. I want to ensure it has a long-term future too.

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