Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2023, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on the 18th October, 2023.

I thank the House for facilitating the taking of this motion today. Ensuring that the horse and greyhound racing sectors and industries achieve their maximum potential, and in doing so contribute to economic and social development over a wide geographic distribution in our country, is an important aspect of Government policy. The valuable contribution to a balanced regional economy made by both the horse and greyhound industries is well recognised. It is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.46 billion, with direct and indirect employment of 30,000 people, and the greyhound sector benefits an estimated 10,000 people economically.

Government funding, in addition to supporting these key industries, presents an excellent opportunity to yield a high return for its investment, leading to a flow of income through many levels of the economy, thereby providing widespread benefits for society. The sectors are also crucial in driving a geographically balanced economy throughout our country. The importance of these industries has been acknowledged by successive Governments and they are supported through legislation and policy initiatives. The world-class reputation for excellence in horse racing, greyhound racing and breeding that Ireland enjoys has been enabled by the support provided through public funds.

The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. Payments are made from the fund to Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann. In the period 2001 to date, a total of €1.64 billion has been paid from the fund to the horse and greyhound racing industries in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The cumulative upper limit on payments from the fund, provided for under the relevant regulations, has now been reached. Exchequer support provided from the fund is crucial to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. In order to give effect to the provisions of budget 2024, this cumulative upper limit must be increased by regulation. The Estimates for my Department, passed by both Houses as part of budget 2024, include an allocation of €95 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This will be distributed in accordance with section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, with 80% going to HRI, or a total of €76 million, and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann, a total of €19 million. In order to allow my Department to provide the moneys allocated in budget 2024, it is necessary to comply with the technical requirement under section 12(13) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act to increase the cumulative limit on the amount payable from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund by that €95 million I am allocating this year, bringing it to a total of €1.735 billion. This is achieved by way of the regulations submitted to this House today and, previous to me being here, in the Seanad. Last week, I presented them to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine as well. The aggregate limit on the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was increased in this same manner in 2004. This has also been the case in every year between 2009 and now.

Touching on the importance of the horse racing industry, according to a Deloitte report from this year, it is estimated that the Irish thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact amounting to €2.46 billion and supports the direct and indirect jobs of some 30,000 people. The total value of Irish-foaled exports sold at public auction last year amounted to €293 million. Horse racing generates a significant return to the rural economy across our country and provides a positive international profile. Of course, behind all the facts and figures are the thousands of people who, directly and indirectly, make the Irish racing and breeding industry the fantastic industry it is today. Statistics released by HRI for horse racing and breeding in Ireland for the first six months of this year point to a continued resilience in the industry. Many figures compare favourably with the first six months of 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic. As proven in 2023 to date, Irish owners, trainers, jockeys and horses are setting standards globally. Their exceptional achievements and enduring influence underscore our international prominence in the sector. The Irish equine breeding and racing industry is extremely competitive globally despite other major racing nations having much larger populations and economies. The incredible passion and commitment to excellence displayed by everyone in the sector, from yard staff to jockeys to owners, allows us to consistently punch above our weight.

The importance of a strong welfare and integrity function to this highly successful industry is crucial and this is well recognised throughout the industry. We continue to work with HRI, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, IHRB, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of integrity and welfare are maintained. In that regard, in November 2021, the agriculture committee published a report on horse racing in Ireland. At the committee’s request, an international equine anti-doping expert, Dr. Craig Suann, was commissioned to conduct an independent review of the IHRB’s equine anti-doping programme. This review concluded that the programme does "at least match international best practice in most respects and has made significant advances in recent years".

It is worth noting that Government funding, in addition to supporting this key industry, also presents an excellent opportunity to yield a high return for its investment leading to a flow of income right through the economy. Support for certain strategic industries is important for future economic growth and can provide widespread benefits for our society as well as our economy.

The EU-UK Brexit trade agreement reached in December 2020, which included the Northern Ireland protocol, and the more recent Windsor Framework agreement were very welcome for our wider economy. However, the facility to move horses freely without veterinary certification between Ireland and Britain can no longer apply as a result of Brexit and has not been facilitated in those agreements. This has added cost and a significant administrative burden to such movements. The global nature of major breeding operations illustrates that while Ireland arguably holds a leadership position within Europe currently, its pre-eminence is not guaranteed.

With regard to the importance of the greyhound racing industry, as highlighted in the Power report in 2021, the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry both directly and indirectly supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there were over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number estimated by the report to be deriving economic benefit from the sector is over 10,000. The greyhound racing industry is part of the social fabric of many parts of our country. The funding provided to the racing sector helps sustain a long-standing tradition and underpins economic activity.

The future of the industry is dependent on a strong governance platform and on the industry having the highest standards of integrity and welfare, founded on a robust regulatory system. There is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in this sector in the programme for Government. Provisions in the Greyhound Racing Act 2019, which came into effect in May of that year, are making a difference in this regard. That legislation strengthens the legal basis for the industry with a view to fortifying the integrity of the greyhound racing sector and improving provision for greyhound traceability. The new Act also improves the governance of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, strengthens regulatory controls in the industry, modernises sanctions and improves integrity within the sector. It provides the industry with the tools it needs to effect fundamental change and reform. It facilitates the board in focusing on its priority objective of achieving the highest standards of care and welfare of greyhounds. Further commencement orders for the small number of remaining sections will continue to be phased in as expediently as possible and, as implementation continues, will enable Rásaíocht Con Éireann to ensure the important heritage associated with greyhound racing in Ireland can continue under appropriate rules and regulations.

My Department, along with the sector itself, is committed to the continued strengthening of welfare standards in the greyhound industry. Future funding of the sector is contingent on welfare standards being upheld and this is reflected in annual parameters set out by my officials in their liaison with Rásaíocht Con Éireann. A key element of the new legislation is the provision, for the first time, for a full IT traceability system for racing greyhounds. The Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system came into operation in January 2021. It provides a mechanism to ensure racing greyhounds are properly registered and traceable throughout their life stages. These life stages include birth, registration, racing career, all changes of ownership and location and end of life. Data from the system at the end of September last year indicated that 42,611 greyhounds were subject to traceability. Phase 2 is currently in development.

Given the wide geographic distribution of these two industries and their importance to the rural economy, and even the importance of this funding to both their development and their continued progress, I very much recommend this funding and this motion to the House to enable the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for this year to be distributed to Rásaíocht Con Éireann and to Horse Racing Ireland for the benefit of both industries.

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