Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator can make his point again when that Bill comes before the House. Senator Ó Domhnaill, like many other Senators, acknowledged the economic value of the horse and greyhound industry. I do not agree with Senator Barrett's comments. The economic benefit of the horse and greyhound industry is huge. The Senator should perhaps visit the courses in Dublin to see what is happening and the number of jobs being created in this area. In south Tipperary, which is the constituency I represent, there are people in every town and parish who own a small number of horses. As I said in my earlier contribution, more than 80% of our horses are produced by farmers who own only two horses. It is a small operator's game.

There are many people in employment on the fringes of this industry, including veterinarians, meal suppliers, hay and straw suppliers. I see first-hand every day of the week the commitment of the people working in the horse racing industry.

Moreover, I see how painstakingly slow it is to produce a winner, a good horse or foal or whatever. These are highly committed people and these are real jobs. They work seven days a week, 365 days a year and to them, Christmas Day or New Year's Day are no different to any other day. These people are dedicated and committed to their job and realistically, while one refers to it as a sport, it is an industry. Were one to take Coolmore and the other big players out of south Tipperary, it would mean the departure of a huge employer from my constituency and there would be placards outside-----