Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again call for a debate on the horse racing industry in Ireland during this term. As everybody will be aware, the horse racing industry in Ireland is worth millions of euro to our economy. However, as is the case in many other sectors it, too, is suffering as a result of the recession. The recent scare in regard to the use of horse meat in burgers triggered a great deal of media reports on the maltreatment of horses, including some horrendous anecdotal stories of trainers turning horses out of their stables because the owners could not afford to feed or train them. Attendance at race meetings is also starting to dwindle. I call on the Deputy Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to the House to make a statement on where he sees the horse racing industry going. It has always been the jewel in the crown of Ireland. Given we are facing into Cheltenham and all the tremendous interest it engenders, it would be timely to have such a debate now.