Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get the opportunity to speak in favour of this important proposal. Overall, the horse and greyhound industries are integral to the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland. With continued support and strategic improvements they can continue to provide significant benefits to the economy and social benefits to communities across the country. Indeed, going back more than 40 years, I remember one man who farmed sheep under Mangerton mountain. His one big event every year was to get my father's hackney car to take him to the Killarney races. Dan McCann is long gone now, but that was his main outlet in those times.

The Killarney races have been a big event since then and they draw big crowds to the town at different times of the year. The races are very important in that regard. People come, stay in hotels, travel around and see the county. We appreciate it. It is likewise with Listowel. Then there are the doggy men. I am talking about all the people in Brosna, where I was last night, Knocknagoshel, Castleisland, Tralee, Ballyduff and all of north Kerry, including Lixnaw and all those places. Hurling or football would be number one in many of those areas, but the dogs are close behind. People go out early in the morning to work but they come home in the evening and hardly have eaten their dinner when they are out training the dogs, walking them, seeing after them and bedding them down. This is their great social outlet. We must appreciate it because it is part of their and our culture. What we are always representing here is valuing our culture. This has been going on for decades and decades. People put their hearts and souls into the dogs. The people I know would not harm any dog. They would not harm the hair on your head, although I do not have much hair on my head. These are the kind of people I am supporting and want to continue to support. I thank the Minister of State. Any euro he can send in their direction will be very important and money well spent.

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