Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We must be positive about these industries and promote them in whatever way we can.

As previously stated by many contributors to the debate on the greyhound industry, it is an important sector which contributes greatly to the sporting and economic life of the country. As has already been acknowledged, over 10,300 people are employed in the greyhound industry, which, in economic terms, generated €500 million this year. Budget 2014 included a provision for the allocation of somewhat over €54 million in an 80:20 split to the horse and greyhound industries. This substantial allocation of funds reflects the prominence of the greyhound industry in the country.

Greyhound breeding, rearing and racing is an integral part of rural life in Ireland. While it is a relatively small part of the Irish agriculture sector as a whole, it is an important element in the country's livestock sector. Successive Governments have recognised the importance of the greyhound racing industry and have supported it through legislation and policy initiatives, most notably the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 which established Bord na gCon, now the Irish Greyhound Board, the governing body of Irish greyhound racing. The support provided by public funds invested in the industry through the horse and greyhound racing fund, as provided for in the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, has led to Ireland been renowned worldwide as a centre of excellence for greyhound racing and breeding. The funding which has been allocated to this sector over the years has come back to the Exchequer tenfold and the greyhound industry has produced large spin-offs for the many farmers and service providers linked directly and indirectly to the sector's activities. Funding allocated to the industry over the years has been used to invest in the local economy. It has helped to maintain a long-standing tradition of the industry as one of the most integral social fabrics of the country. It has brought employment and capital and social entrepreneurship to what are, in some cases, less affluent sections of our country. Funds have been used to put in place infrastructure to allow the sector to maintain its presence in rural Ireland. The horse and greyhound racing fund has directly contributed to the improvement of 17 greyhound tracks, including the complete refurbishment of Clonmel Greyhound Stadium and the Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium.

The greyhound racing industry attracts considerable amounts of employment and foreign direct investment. It is the type of export-oriented industry we need. It has enhanced our international reputation and attracted significant numbers of tourists to Ireland. Each year, the Irish Greyhound Board welcomes 40,000 international tourists to Ireland's greyhound stadiums throughout the country. France, Germany and the United Kingdom are the organisation's top three international sources for tourists.

The greyhound racing industry is worth in excess of €300 million annually to the economy. The sector continues to maintain exceptional growth. On average, over 26,500 people go greyhound racing every week. The Irish Greyhound Board, in conjunction with the British, American and Australian greyhound boards, is conducting the highest once-off greyhound race in the world, the €1 million world greyhound championship, which will further develop the industry.

Approximately 20,000 greyhound puppies are registered each year in Ireland. The introduction of funds is helping to bring about improvements in many facets of the industry. This can maximise returns to breeders following their investment. The support of the State has been essential to the survival and revival of the greyhound industry in the country. My colleague, Deputy Ray Butler, has attempted to demonstrate this in recent weeks by travelling to London to support a bid by the British shareholders, breeders and racegoers to save the greyhound track at Wimbledon. He presented the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, with a letter from the Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, in support of Mr. Johnson and his campaign to keep greyhound racing at Wimbledon.

The greyhound industry in Ireland has contributed so much to the economic and social well-being of the country and its people and it is only proper that the State should continue to assist this valuable and growing industry, put in place infrastructure for the future and support and maintain the greyhound business in Ireland. As I stated at the beginning, it is important for us to be positive about the whole industry.