Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

I acknowledge the Minister's commitment to the horse and greyhound racing industries and to ensuring they achieve their maximum potential.

The world-class reputation for excellence in horse racing, greyhound racing and breeding that Ireland enjoys today has been enabled by the support provided through public funds. I thank the Minister, the programme for Government and previous Governments, which have ensured that public funds to into these two important industries.

I also recognise the Minister's requirement that at least 10% of public funding be used to support welfare and safety in the greyhound industry. There are many people, including maybe some in this Chamber, who think this funding should not be made available. I remind them that people love their greyhounds. People might not take account of this. For example, in County Kerry, we have Mr. Liam Dowling and his family. He is what I would call "a shining light" in the greyhound industry. He is respected throughout Kerry, Ireland and Europe for the way he takes care of his greyhounds, the way he breeds them and the excellent way that he and his family conduct their business. It is not just a business, however; it is the love of dogs.

On Friday and Saturday nights, I can go to the greyhound track in Tralee, and I know I am biased because I go there and love to see the greyhounds racing. I see the way the greyhounds are brought there and cared for after a race and the loving nature of the people who own them. What is lovely to see is that the new generation of young people, who will be there when the Minister, the Members present and I will no longer be there, will carry on that tradition of racing greyhounds because they love their dogs and the dogs love being raced.

There are people inside here who have no regard whatsoever for rural pursuits like that. They do not appreciate, for example, that track in Tralee and the way funds are raised there every week. It could be for our local hospital for cancer care or it could be for local schools. It is a community-type of a gathering and event. It is a safe place. There is food and beverages and, of course, the greyhounds. It is a social outlet. I meet older people who I might not get to meet at all under normal circumstances. They get the bus or pool together and come for a night out and it is a great social occasion.

There is also the small matter of jobs. This is a massive industry in rural Ireland. There are 4,000 direct and indirect jobs and 6,000 active owners. Horse racing provides 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.

I always tell a story about one Sunday morning when I was on a certain road heading down to a beach and met a man coming up against me with quite a good motor car. It was a fairly fresh new motor car. He was after having his greyhound down on the beach that morning because it was good for the greyhound to walk on the sand. Where was the dog? It was inside in the back seat of the car standing up. The man was as proud as punch after carrying his dog out for the walk in the morning and a bit of a run on the beach.

Again, I put on record these are people who love their greyhounds. They care for them and nurture them. To think there are people here this evening who would totally disregard this and want to starve them of much-needed public funding is wrong, but everybody is entitled to their opinion.

See this speech in context