Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The public funding goes into our racetracks and funding prize money, which helps to support and underpin the industry and the jobs in the industry. The funding also goes into welfare measures and supports the welfare of greyhounds. As the Deputy said, without the funding the greyhound racing industry would be very much undermined. I am aware the Deputy has no problem with doing away with the industry altogether. He is not a big advocate of industry or business in general. I know that he would like to see the industry erased altogether. However, the industry provides employment. While it is not important to everyone, it is an important part of our social fabric and of many people's lives. We have to value that. Going forward, it is important that alongside the public funding, we see economic revenue generated through participation. That is a significant task for RCÉ in ensuring that revenue streams are improved.

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