Results 7,561-7,580 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Has Bord na gCon been bedevilled with court cases in the past?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Any extra money provided by the State could be eaten away by settlements, court cases and compensation where the board is found to be liable and money has to be paid out. That is the danger of which this committee must take cognisance. For example, in the report there is an indication that no drug testing is taking place off track. Is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: It is done at sale point but not other than that. That is just the sale of the animal but during the course of the training and the operation there is no drug testing, is that correct?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Am I right that an animal can be purchased at a sale and there is absolutely no testing until that animal runs in the stadium?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Is that not a huge gap in doping testing, the total absence in the training process before it appears in the stadium?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: What is the timescale for that? Is this being done for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the Minister to provide a statutory instrument?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Does it have the authority to make a statutory instrument?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: That seems strange. Is that the correct procedure? I thought all statutory instruments had to come under the authority of the Minister or the Oireachtas.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: If that is the case then why does the Bord na gCon not get on with it? What is the reason for the delay?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: That is very desirable but the explanation does not answer my question. How come Bord na gCon has not dealt with this huge hiatus or gap that exists? Athletes expect to be tested during their training session. I imagine that the same should apply to animals that will contest races. The public will bet on them and there will be prize money. If there is no testing during the period in...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: A case has been processed through the courts where an animal was got at in the kennels, under Bord na gCon's control, that was described earlier. Even though there is strict testing at courses, clearly gaps exist. I am only interested in knowing why we cannot get off-track testing in place because it is necessary.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: When can we expect it?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: I ask Bord na gCon to keep us updated on the matter. My second point is on the Harold's Cross stadium. It has been outlined already that the board is in the process of putting it up for sale. What is the justification for the sale? It is the second stadium in Dublin and is more a local than a national stadium. It is a stadium where a night out at the dogs takes place on a regular...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: They are both profitable at the moment and certainly Harold's Cross stadium is profitable.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Harold's Cross stadium is a northside stadium. Dublin is not that big a city.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: It is not as if we are talking about a big area of land down the country where a mile and a half is a lot. In Dublin, a mile and a half is fine and the stadium serves the city.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Nobody ever put that argument forward until Indecon said that Bord na gCon had to do something to reduce its costs. This is a post facto argument that has been put forward to me. How does Bord na gCon propose to effect the sale? Has it sought planning permission in advance? Will it maximise the value of the site? Please give us an idea of where we are at.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Bord na gCon might include public representatives and Deputies as well and not just local representatives.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: What happens if the board is refused?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statements 2014 (26 Nov 2015)

Joe Costello: Bord na gCon is providing additional resources, which may or may not be accepted. Whether accepted or rejected, one way or another, the matter is likely to go to An Bord Pleanála and I presume Bord na gCon would pursue the issue. However, if the submission is refused, the land will have very little value in the long term, unless it is rezoned or planning permission is granted for its...