Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Government is trying to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds on this issue and it is obvious to everyone. In essence, this dying industry is being propped up by the Government. Greyhound Racing Ireland’s own reports are showing significant declines in attendance. The facts as outlined in RTÉ’s documentary “Greyhounds - Running for their Lives” remain the definitive record of the appalling standards and cruelty of the industry. Up to 6,000 dogs are bred annually to be killed. I have to raise the same questions every year. In whose interest is this? It is certainly not in the public interest. Why is €18 million being transferred to the industry? Is it because of its close ties with Government parties and others in this House? Organisations such as Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland only get a tiny fraction of that amount, and this is disgraceful.

The funding of more than €18.2 million sees an increase of €600,000 in this year. In our alternative budget, the Social Democrats called for State funding for greyhound racing to be phased out over the next three years, with an annual reduction of between €6 million and €7 million between now and the end of the Thirty-third Dáil. We all know that the €18 million could be spend so much better. It is deeply regrettable that the Government did not take our proposal on board in this budget. It is also significant that Dogs Trust has now called for a phased end to greyhound racing in Ireland. That is despite it having worked with the industry for many years to improve conditions for dogs involved. The charity says there are welfare issues that have not been resolved. Greyhound Racing Ireland and its supporters in this House are eager to point out a new system of traceability and welfare inspections while ignoring the deep irony of their position. These measures are only necessary because the record of the industry is so appalling. We know of thousands of dogs that were bred and then destroyed because they did not make the cut.

Overbreeding in the industry continues to be a major concern. The Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s recent report on dog welfare noted there is virtually no oversight and transparency concerning canine artificial insemination. The Government does not have a list of canine fertility establishments. We have no idea who is involved in this area and if they have any qualifications. This is especially relevant to greyhounds, who are known to be subject to horrific overbreeding. Under official regulations, non-veterinarians can carry out artificial insemination in greyhounds. Greyhound Racing Ireland is responsible for these regulations, and enforcement is carried out by the Irish Coursing Club, ICC. Why are these bodies given this power? Where is the oversight of them?

This motion, despite all of the glaring issues, will comfortably pass. Not only is this wrong, it is also completely at odds with public opinion. Most ordinary people are not being represented on this matter. I am calling for an end to public funding of the industry. If it is so important to rural Ireland and if it has such great welfare systems, then let the industry survive on a commercial basis. The Minister does not want that and neither do people in this House, in this Government and on Opposition benches, because they all know that the industry would collapse without its annual handout. When will this madness end?

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