Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will support the establishment of one greyhound racing body for the whole island following the St. Andrews Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34867/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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In June this year, I met with Ms Maria Eagle, the Northern Ireland Minister with responsibility for culture, arts and leisure, to discuss a number of issues common to both Departments, including pursuing opportunities for all-island co-operation in the development of the horse and greyhound racing sectors. Previous meetings have also been held at both official and ministerial level in recent years with both the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.

Several difficulties have been identified with regard to an all-island approach to racing. For instance, there is no central government role or funding system for greyhound racing in Northern Ireland and responsibility for horse racing spans across a number of Departments. However, my officials will continue to discuss the issues involved with their Northern Ireland counterparts in order to explore the potential for all-island co-ordination in the development of the horse and greyhound racing sectors. In that context, a successful outcome to the current political developments would be beneficial in moving on with the agenda.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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In view of the fact that a significant number of greyhound owners and trainers come on a nightly basis from Northern Ireland to the tracks in the Republic to race their dogs, there surely must a strong case in the new political climate for the establishment of an all-island greyhound racing body. There is currently just one track in Northern Ireland at the Brandywell and that may close in the future because of plans to build a new stadium without a greyhound racing track. That would leave the people of Northern Ireland without any racing track. A number of enthusiasts are leaving the industry in Northern Ireland because of the long distances they must travel. It is about 100 miles from Belfast to Lifford and about 60 miles from Belfast to Dundalk. Approximately 15% of the prize money offered by tracks in the Republic goes to the North.

From the point of view of regulation and control, it would be very important to have just one racing board. Is the Minister aware that in the blueprint for the development of the greyhound sector in the UK for the period 2005-10, the British Greyhound Racing Board does not even mention Northern Ireland? Currently, nobody is really responsible for the greyhound industry in Northern Ireland and it is one of the areas in which great advances could be made if an all-Ireland board existed.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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When I met the Minister I explained to her that the greyhound racing sector in Northern Ireland was facing a number of hurdles, if I may be forgiven the pun. I suggested to her that because there was a division of responsibility for horseracing across a number of Departments and a general lack of funding, there could be no proper development of greyhound racing in the North.

I sympathise with Deputy Deenihan's view that there is a need for one authority. Bord na gCon believes that there is merit in considering a 32 county approach to greyhound racing and the board is well positioned to extend its regulatory responsibility to Northern Ireland. However, the industry in the North has not received any financial support from the off-course bookmakers' market or from central government. It is critical that the issue of funding for the sport in Northern Ireland be addressed prior to any move on an all-Ireland greyhound racing authority. Legislative changes would also be required and the 1958 Act and subsequent Acts would have to be amended to reflect any change in scope and responsibilities.

Of the three tracks in Northern Ireland, two are currently operational and are regulated by the Irish Coursing Club without any legislative basis, but with the consent of the track owners.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Only one of those tracks is operational.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that two of them are operational.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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The track in Ballyskeagh is closed.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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While Bord na gCon's laboratory testing services are available to them, the uptake thus far has been disappointing. It is true that a significant number of dogs from the North race in the South and they pick up approximately 15% of the prize money every year. The breeding of greyhounds is regulated by the Irish Coursing Club for all of Ireland, although there has been a lack of co-ordination following the introduction of artificial insemination in the North, which remains unregulated in the South.

We would generally favour tracks in the North being subjected to the same standard of regulation as those in this State. I would like to see the industry being developed in the North and treated equally, subject to the inclusion of income streams derived in the North, or the tote, to fund that industry.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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In view of the fact that a major development fund will be created if the Assembly is re-established, would consideration be given to building a stadium in Belfast similar to that which we have in Shelbourne Park, with the co-operation of both Governments? Due to the commitment to funding by the British Government to major projects in the North, this stadium could be one such possibility.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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If the political mechanisms are put in place in the North, it should be possible for us to have discussions with the new Northern Ireland Executive about developing the horse and greyhound racing industry in Northern Ireland. Tourism Ireland has proved to be a really important template in this respect as it has been very successful. As a Kerryman from the deep south, nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have an excuse to visit the North more often. If a high class greyhound stadium existed there, I am sure it would act as a magnet to the Deputy as well.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Has a door been left open since the meetings between the Minister and the Northern Ireland Minister? The Minister pointed out the problems that existed for horseracing, with responsibility being delegated across different Departments. The Minister also said that if the Executive reconvenes, then something can be done. Must we await further developments before the Minister in Northern Ireland gets back to the Minister here? Do we have to accept that no further progress will be made in the foreseeable future?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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We have been trying to develop the issue. The Secretary General of my Department, Mr. Phil Furlong, had a recent meeting with Mr. Pat Toal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland on the possibility of identifying structures which could be created to achieve a joint approach through horse and greyhound racing. We are continuing with our discussions, but the current stalemate in the political arena has prevented any major initiative. If political movement occurred, it would make it far easier for us to develop the industry jointly in the North.

I am not for one moment suggesting that we would take over the sports there. All I am asking for is a joint approach.