Results 6,401-6,420 of 23,948 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Could the Senator repeat that please?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It was a unique situation in 2021 because of Covid and given that tracks were closed for most of the year. Across all aspects of our lives, 2021 was a unique situation. We have seen improvement this year in racing attendances. The recent Irish Greyhound Derby was one of the best attended in many years. As with other organisations and everything else we have been doing, working to recover...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The key thing is the welfare and wellbeing of the dogs and ensuring that the systems are in place to care for them throughout their lives. I know there has been a strong relationship between Britain and Ireland over the years, like there is with so many other things.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The new strategic plan for RCÉ is due in the first quarter of next year. This will be the appropriate place to consider this matter. There is also a challenge with regard to the 2017 Preferred Results report. I understand the board of RCÉ had concerns regarding the data on which the report's recommendations were based.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: This is important to today's discussions. It chose not to adopt it as a policy. My understanding and advice are that the report might be subject to legal proceedings. This precludes me from commenting on it. We can continue to engage as appropriate but with regard to this advice, it is something I have to be cognisant at present.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Discussions on the strategic reviews and strategic plans are the place to tease out all of these matters. RCÉ will present a new strategic plan in the first quarter of next year. It will engage with me and the team on this. All issues should be considered as part of this. It is important that the strategy we have is robust and makes sense for the country and that the welfare of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank Senator Daly. I know he has a very strong understanding and experience of the sector. Where there are ideas, suggestions and proposals, I am very happy to consider them and reflect on them. As Minister I appoint members to the board of HRI. There is also industry representation from the various sectors of the industry and they play a role in bringing all of the strands of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: We are not sure on that point but I expect it did. It was a report that looked at the full economic value of the industry, the full range of employment and the full economic benefit. It would be incongruous for it to not include the economic activity related to stallion fees, which are a massive part of the sector and an important part because of where they place us in breeding worldwide. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It is important the expenditure is fully scrutinised and assessed for its value for money. There is an ongoing process between the Department and both HRI and RCÉ on that. There are strategic plans put in place and then closely monitored, so we are doing that. Sometimes one can question the value for money of value-for-money reports as well. It is important that should be strong...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy, the Cathaoirleach and all on the committee for their work on that and for putting that report together. The first recommendation the Deputy referred to was the one relating to the board's composition with regard to independence and gender balance. The IHRB recently informed me that it has appointed Ms Angela Flanagan as its first independent director. She is due to take...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: She will be a member of the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Regarding the reporting of salary details in audited financial statements, the IHRB has also informed the Department that it is its intention that any future contracts of employment will include the provision that employee income bands can be made publicly available. I have informed the IHRB, HRI and the Irish National Stud that the interests of the three bodies, in terms of greater...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department is of the belief that the existing model is underpinned by legislation and it fits well. Both the legislation and the service level agreement between the IHRB and HRI provide a solid framework on which to base the regulation of the industry. It is acknowledged that governance practices in all organisations should be reviewed and developed. To that end, the Department has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I have not at the moment but I am happy to give that further consideration.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: It is well under way. A lot of work is ongoing. The Deputy said there were to be quarterly updates from the IHRB to this committee-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: Has the committee received those?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: CCTV will be operational at a minimum of 15 tracks by the end of this year. That will leave a balance of ten tracks that will be operational in the first quarter of next year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I will give the Deputy some details from the update I have here. The traceability system continues to be enhanced and centres on our equine database, which was established in May 2013 and is part of our overall animal identification movement database. It records the registration details of all horses with a passport approved through the passport-issuing organisations in the country. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2022: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (23 Nov 2022)

Charlie McConalogue: I think I should have some notes here. I am satisfied that the systems in place are very strong. It is very much similar to what is employed in other major racing countries. Last year, some 6,000 horses were tested by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, IHRB, of which a total of 71% were associated with races. Some 29% of them were outside of competition. A total of 21 adverse...