Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position in regard to the Dalton report; if he has received comments from those to whom he sent copies or extracts of the report earlier in May 2006; the reason he chose to send this information to these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the recent announcement by the chairman of Bord na gCon that he is to retire in 12 months' time; if he was consulted on this decision; when the process of selecting a successor will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/06]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the status of the Dalton report; its conclusions and recommendations; when he will begin to implement the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he intends to introduce legislation to establish an independent control body for the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21061/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 33, 40 and 51 together.

I refer the Deputies to the reply given earlier in response to Priority Questions Nos. 9 and 10. If only all replies were so easy.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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If we had got all the answers to Priority Questions Nos. 9 and 10, we would not have to deal with these questions. When the Attorney General informed the Minister that due process must take place and the report must be sent to those involved, did he give a timeframe? Did he inform the Minister at what stage could the report then be released?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Attorney General indicated that a reasonable timeframe should be allowed for the parties concerned to enable them to reply. It was felt that around 15 days would be appropriate. With a report of this complexity and size, it would be necessary for the parties concerned to have time to consider it. It would be in breach of due process were I to seek early, urgent or inappropriately timed responses. The parties have been given ample time. On the close of business this evening, I will not accept any further submissions.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Earlier the Minister inadvertently referred to the "outgoing chairman". Will the Minister confirm that Mr. Taggart is the chairman of Bord na gCon and is likely to continue in that post for some time? Will the Minister agree that the leaking of the report was targeted and selective? Will he agree it was damaging to the reputation and integrity of the chairman of Bord na gCon, Mr. Taggart? He is a respected businessman and it was obvious through his reaction that he is very incensed at the nature and timing of the leaks. I know the Minister has condemned the leaks. Will he confirm that this was an unfair treatment of Mr. Taggart? No decision can be made until we see all the details and discuss them in the House.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I repeat that I am deeply disappointed that these leaks occurred. I repeat that neither I nor any officials in the Department was involved in any of the leaks. It is regrettable that officials in the Department were accused of leaking sections of the report. I fully accept Deputy Deenihan's comments on Mr. Taggart. He is a respected businessman who has made a considerable contribution to the greyhound industry. I have never sought to deny that.

After Mr. Dalton has completed his examination of the responses, the matter will be brought before the Government. I do not want to pre-empt what will occur then.

Until one becomes the outgoing chairman, one should be referred to as the chairman.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister ensure, if he is involved in future appointments, that two women are appointed to Bord na gCon to establish a gender balance? If I introduce my Bill on control of the doping of greyhounds in private Members' time, will the Minister accept it? From the leaks of the report, it seems there will be a new procedure where the control of doping will be taken out of the hands of the board and the chairman will not be compromised as he was in this case. The chairman was put under considerable pressure because he announced greyhound owners were using illegal substances on their dogs. The greyhound industry is small and most people know each other. The chairman and the board members would know all the trainers and owners. If my Bill had been accepted, we would not be in this position and the chairman would not be the subject of this national campaign in the media. Will the Minister accept my private Members' Bill so that there will no recurrence of last October's events?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention that women should be represented on the board of Bord na gCon. A woman from the Department was on the board until recently but unfortunately she resigned. I agree with the Deputy that it is important there is female representation on the board.

With regard to accepting Deputy Deenihan's Bill, I will not pre-empt the contents or the recommendations of the Dalton report. As I indicated earlier, arising from the report there will be a necessity for legislation. Legislation governing the greyhound industry dates back to the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It is archaic and needs to be changed. For example, a person can be appointed for numerous terms to the board. The chairman of the board does not have a fixed term. That is not the case with any other State agency. People will accept there is a need for the legislation to be changed. It is an open secret that there will have to be change.