Results 261-280 of 4,350 for speaker:Bobby Aylward

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Domestic dogs have to be microchipped.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: I welcome Mr. Dollard and his board. I apologise for not being here earlier. I was speaking in the Dáil. I will probably cover some ground that has been covered. I have to put in my two and sixpence worth. I want to ask a few questions. I will start by asking about animal welfare. We are all aware of the fallout from the "RTÉ Investigates" programme. Everyone was horrified...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: I know. I am sorry about that.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: That information should be publicised to counteract the problem I highlighted. The board should get it out there to let it be known.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: I received information from stakeholders that the board of Clonmel greyhound track came up with a proposal whereby each greyhound owner would adopt four retired greyhounds or greyhounds that are no longer wanted. With Bord na gCon's backing, I believe the breeders would keep those greyhounds. They take up to 100 bitches every year and put them into retirement. They contacted owners...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Is Mr. Dollard saying the board would support the proposal if it got off the ground?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: That would be one way of going forward. I will move on as it is late. Some of the track closures have been mentioned since I arrived. We all know how many tracks Bord na gCon operates and that there are private tracks in Kilkenny and elsewhere. The board is waiting on the Indecon report before deciding on the future of Ireland's 16 tracks but two tracks - Lifford and Longford - have...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Could the Lifford track be sold at that stage?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Would the board like to see the Lifford and Longford tracks maintained?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: That brings me to my next question, which is on sponsorship and prize money. When I asked this question the last time Bord na gCon was before the committee, it gave a commitment. Due to the debt hanging over the board, prize money had dropped to €1.5 million. My figures could be wrong but prize money definitely decreased. Having been brought up around greyhounds, I know that the...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: What is it now?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Will that help to get the industry back on its feet again?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: According to information I received recently, the costs of the Irish Greyhound Board accounted for 16% of overall turnover ten years ago and now account for 44% of turnover. That is an increase of approximately 300%. What is the reason for it? Interest in the industry is declining and there is less racing taking place, yet the board's costs have increased from 16% to 44%. No one wants...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: The reason I ask this is because this is about survival and the future. Sometimes things are cut, which we all had to do in years gone by during the recession. I am told there are 70 staff in Limerick alone. I do not know if that is a factual figure-----

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: That is just a clarification. I do not like talking about staff and employees because it is not my remit but these questions were put to me and I must ask them of the witnesses here who are accountable. I understand €500,000 was lost last year on catering. When the board had its own catering services in place it was making a good profit. The board then changed to private contract...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Yes, I put it back to front, That is what I meant. Since it became in-house, it has been losing money, whereas when it was contracted out a profit was being made for the board every year. Is that the case?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: The money that was mentioned to me is a false-----

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: It is said there is money in food.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: Of course, the Irish are well known for it. Hare coursing is part of the greyhound industry. The Minister is not issuing any licences at present because of a danger of disease in hares. Individuals who, like everyone, are looking after their own interests here are saying there is no disease in hares. It is claimed it is in rabbits but not in hares. What is the view of the Irish...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon Financial Statement 2017 (19 Sep 2019)

Bobby Aylward: It is part of the industry, is it not?