Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle, and it is good to see him back in action again. I thank the Minister for giving this €88 million. The only regret I have is it is a reduction of €8 million from last year. We all know the cost of everything is going up. Why do we have to come in here every year to approve this spending? Should there not instead be a standing order that the horse racing and greyhound industries would get their money every year? I ask that because these industries return these funds back to the coffers in abundance. It has been said horse racing accounts for some 29,000 jobs, while the doggy people provide 12,000 and are working very hard with their dogs. They treat them very well. It was sad the industry got a bit of a bad name for a while because of a few rogues, but 99% of these people are genuine. They live for their dogs and their communities and they make a serious contribution to rural Ireland. That is the case in places like Gneevgullia, Cahersiveen, Scartaglin, Castleisland and north Kerry, and over to Knocknagashel and Brosna. The difference this makes to the people in those areas is massive.

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