Results 601-620 of 3,241 for speaker:Brian Ó Domhnaill

Seanad: National Mortgage and Housing Corporation Bill 2015: First Stage (22 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I second the motion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. The Minister of State gave a comprehensive address that touched on many key issues that are of concern to stakeholders within the greyhound industry in Ireland. It is an important industry and I fully agree with the Minister of State's concluding remarks on the industry's potential. It has huge...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I am a member of this committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Thank you, Chairman. I deal with the facts that are presented to me.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have scrutinised those facts and I accept them. What is the Department's view on selling the asset that is the Harold's Cross racetrack? The Minister mentioned the increase in funding, which is bringing it back to 2007-08 levels. Ultimately, every Department has an obligation to provide value for money for the taxpayer for every euro that is allocated through the Exchequer. That is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I thank the representatives from federation for taking the time to attend. Their members are the volunteers in the industry and they are the key stakeholders because without breeders one does not have an industry. This is an important issue and one which our committee can play a part in resolving. The concerns expressed by the federation are at the cutting edge of moving the sector...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: It would be helpful if there was an extension as we want to engage in some toing and froing on this issue, if possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I know, but if would be good if a request could be made. I will, however, cut to chase. The chief executive officer and board members are very welcome. As I did, they would have listened to some of the very valid contributions of the owners and breeders. They are the stakeholders who are not being engaged with by the board. We have heard that point being made clearly today. I ask...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: I have a number of supplementary questions. I will start with Dr. Gaynor's contribution on the frozen semen issue. It is my understanding that the legal advice given to the board from Ross Alyward, Esq, BL as a preliminary opinion in February 2013 did provide that it was for the ICC, and the bord of the IGB, to ensure that the integrity of the industry is maintained and that its laws are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: How can the issue go away?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: The semen of dogs that have died more than two years can now be used.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Who changed the rules?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Was that to allow the IGB to subvert the legal opinion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Why were the dogs brought back into compliance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Has the IGB changed the rules?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Is Dr. Gaynor quite satisfied that the changes that have been introduced have not exposed the IGB to any further litigation down the road?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Will Dr. Gaynor give his view on the manner in which the drug testing takes place at the stadium on any given evening? As I understand it, the control committee is a sub-committee of the IGB and, therefore, is under the remit of and paid for by the IGB. In Dr. Gaynor's opinion does that meet the international best practice in relation to independence and oversight of drug testing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Is this in the new Bill?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: Does Dr. Gaynor believe that is the current position?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Racing Industry: Discussion (20 Oct 2015)

Brian Ó Domhnaill: To be fair to Dr. Gaynor, some of these issues are news to me. The problem goes back to the fundamental aspect of a lack of communication and listening to the federation, in particular. Mr. Meaney mentioned that he would be available to meet or to communicate. The fundamental point is that he is the chairman of the IGB, Bord na gCon, which is a remunerated position. The volunteers, the...