Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he intends to publish the independent report into drugs testing in the greyhound industry that was carried out by Mr. Tim Dalton; the main findings and recommendations of the report; the action he plans to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15370/06]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received the Dalton report on Bord na gCon; if he intends to publish the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15391/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 62 together.

I received the independent report into matters relating to Bord na gCon from Mr. Tim Dalton on 5 April last. As Deputies are aware, on 1 February last I appointed Mr. Dalton, who is a former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to carry out an investigation into issues relating to corporate management in Bord na gCon, as well as the management of positive tests for banned substances. I am considering the contents of the report in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, following which I will consult my Cabinet colleagues before I decide on the further action that will need to be taken, including the arrangements for the publication of the report. I do not intend to make any further comment on the matter until this process has been completed.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Will the Minister confirm that an outside public relations consultant was employed, at a cost of €20,000, to assist with a press conference that was held at Shelbourne Park in early February? Is the matter dealt with in Mr. Dalton's report? Does the Minister approve of expenditure of that nature?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I said that I do not intend to comment at this point on what is or is not contained in Mr. Dalton's report. I also said that I intend to complete my consultations with the Office of the Attorney General on the matter before bringing it to the attention of my Government colleagues. All I will say about the matter raised by Deputy O'Shea is that, as he is aware, I have asked all parties involved in this matter to desist from public comment.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister asked Mr. Dalton to investigate the issue of the control of doping. According to a number of leaks in various newspapers, it has been proposed that this aspect of Bord na gCon's responsibility should be transferred to an independent agency. The provisions of the Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006, which I introduced some time ago, are in line with the proposals I made when I was a Minister of State in 1996. This problem would not arise if I was still in office because suitable legislation would be in place. Given that it seems Mr. Dalton has recommended that responsibility for the control of doping should be taken from Bord na gCon, will the Minister consider accepting my Bill if I introduce it in Private Members' time?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that all the issues dealt with in Mr. Dalton's report, which will be published in due course, will be debated in the House or in a committee of the House. I have said from the outset that everybody involved in this matter will receive due process. The Deputy will understand why I do not intend to depart from that promise at this late juncture.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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To the best of my recollection, the press conference about which I asked took place after the Minister appointed Mr. Dalton to investigate this matter. Was Mr. Dalton asked to deal with the issue of the press conference and any costs relating to it? Did he deal with those issues in his report?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention to have the report published. All the questions Deputy O'Shea asked will then, hopefully, be answered. On the press conference, the Deputy will be aware that I stated at the time that people should desist from public comment pending completion of the investigation by Mr. Dalton. That was my position then and is, still. Everybody involved will receive due process. It is necessary that this happens.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister publish the report as soon as possible because there is major uncertainty within the industry? As the Minister knows, it is very important to protect the credibility of this flourishing industry, to publish the report as soon as possible and to take the necessary action. He will have the support of this side of the House.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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My intention is to publish the report when the consultative process has been completed and when it has been brought to Government. I assure Deputy Deenihan it will be published at the earliest date available after that.