Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the horse and greyhound sectors and the positive impact they have in rural communities, particularly economic. Having said that, €95 million is an awful lot of money. It is an increase on last year. I put the point to the Minister last week in the committee that there is no rationale for €95 million. I do not understand how that figure was come to. We need greater transparency and accountability concerning that amount of money, given that it is public money. For that reason alone, there should be greater clarity and transparency on how that amount was reached.

The Minister will know that we have, for a number of years, through my colleague, Deputy Carthy, submitted amendments to seek a full review of the Exchequer funding, including an examination of prize funds, how they are perhaps subsidised, and animal welfare, which is critical. Questions have been asked specifically about prize funds and we have questions all the time about animal welfare. There are a lot of genuine concerns in that regard. At the committee last week, the Minister confirmed there would be an independent and external review which would shortly go to tender. I welcome that, which is the only reason I did not bring forward and amendment to the motion. It would be good if the Minister could provide further details about the report, when we can expect it and the terms of reference. I appreciate the tender has to come but we must make sure prize funds and animal welfare are part of that report.

I also asked the Minister in the committee last week that both organisations, with the 80-20 split, would provide line-for-line detail on how they spend that €95 million. I do not think it is a lot to ask. Again, that comes back to accountability and transparency. I do not see any reason it should not be provided by the organisations. This is public money, and when it comes to public money, I do not think accountability and transparency are a lot to ask for. It is a great deal of money and we have to acknowledge that.

I would appreciate if the Minister could provide further details on the report and, in particular, when he expects it to go to tender and when he expects it to be concluded. That is important. I hope that report will give people the answers they need in some respects, but it also needs to give us greater clarity on the amount of funding, the increase in that funding and the rationale for how €95 million was decided upon. That is really important.

The bottom line is to acknowledge the importance this has in some, if not many, rural communities while ensuring we have the highest standards of animal welfare, and absolute transparency and accountability for every red cent of public money provided to these organisations. I do not think that is a lot to ask for.

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