Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I would welcome a debate on the report published yesterday by the ESRI on the horseracing industry. How much was based on research on course? People tend to forget this debate is not just about a sport but about an industry that produces live goods and services, employs thousands of people and in which most of the inputs are domestic. It is at least as important an employer as large companies such as Intel. I would like the matter to be discussed, especially as the net cost of the current tax break is less than €10 million and the strong suggestion is that when it comes up for review in 2008, the Government of the day might decide to do differently. It would be good to hear the degree to which Opposition parties propose to support the horseracing industry.