Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, I thank Deputy Andrews for raising this issue.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann, RCÉ, is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

According to the 2021 Jim Power report, The Economic and Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry, commissioned by RCÉ, the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.

On 22 December 2022, RCÉ submitted a business plan for the redevelopment of Shelbourne Park, seeking the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the capital investment. In the proposal document, RCÉ states that Shelbourne Park greyhound stadium is the flagship stadium within the RCÉ portfolio. Located in Dublin city centre, it is the premier stadium and the only greyhound stadium in the Dublin area serving the large Dublin population with significant footfall from outside of Dublin. Major events are hosted at Shelbourne Park greyhound stadium, including the main greyhound competition, the Irish Greyhound Derby, which has been run in Shelbourne Park since 1932.

The stadium is directly competing with other very modern facilities in Dublin, such as Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium, and the offering currently at Shelbourne Park does not meet the expectation of the modern customer. There is no doubt that some essential improvement works in track and basic facilities are required. There is also a necessity to refresh and improve a number of areas of Shelbourne Park both to keep pace with current trends and to deliver the experience that is required. Departmental officials are currently considering the proposal.

An early draft strategic plan for the next five years from 2023 to 2027 was forwarded to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine for information in early November. Following the recent appointment of the new CEO on 6 November, this Department anticipates that the draft strategic plan will be progressed to completion in the coming months.

Title to Shelbourne Park greyhound stadium is a combination of unregistered freehold and long leasehold title, held by Shelbourne Greyhound Stadium Limited. The part held under the leasehold title comprises the racing track and a car park and is held under a lease for a term of 99 years, expiring on 24 March 2052, with an option to apply for a sporting lease in 2037 for a further 99 years.

The management of Shelbourne Park and any future use is a matter for RCÉ, in line with its legislative and strategic responsibilities. The zoning of lands and land use in a strategic planning context are matters for the relevant local authority.

I will certainly bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister. There is a challenge here in that RCÉ is a company in its own right. I am not sure what input could be required or could at this stage be put into the draft strategic plan to help shape that. Calling RCÉ to appear before the committee for further discussions might be a useful suggestion as the next step forward.

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