Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá an-áthas orm bheith in ann labhairt ar an díospóireacht seo maidir le tionscail na gcon. Tacaím le cuid mhaith den mhéid a bhí le rá ag mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Ó Domhnaill, agus ba mhaith liom cur leis. As we know, the greyhound industry is a substantial employer. It is not yet on a par with the horseracing industry in terms of funding or employment but it is nevertheless substantial. It is concerning, however, to see that breeding is down 14% and that there is a shortage of dogs for races at the moment.

The latest estimates claim that almost 10,500 jobs depend on the industry and that these yield over €21 million in taxes to the Exchequer. The greyhound industry is funded through the horse and greyhound fund at a ratio of 80:20. That is to say the horses get 80% and the dogs only 20%. We hope that the greyhound ratio will increase. It will be contributing more to the Exchequer when the Betting (Amendment) Bill is enacted.

The potential of the industry is considerable. It is estimated that 40,000 tourists attended greyhound races last year. However, there is a serious issue around the perception of the industry at the moment as well as serious questions around governance which must be raised. The industry has modernised and made its image more sophisticated. While attracting corporate clients and tourists, the greyhound industry must also be supported to continue to provide the facilities and recreation it always has to its usual punters at small tracks throughout the country. It is a rather Irish sport and we are unique in this regard. For this reason the regulation and funding of the industry must be according to best practice. Therefore, the Minister must look to the debts that the Irish Greyhound Board has run up during the building of its new track in Limerick.

I have been in contact with the North East Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association and the Dublin Greyhound Owners and Breeders Association, whose representatives are welcome to the Visitors Gallery today. I have talked to several people in the industry who have raised serious concerns. Representatives of the industry have been looking for meetings with the Minister and the Irish Greyhound Board but they have informed me that these have not been forthcoming. I hope the Minister of State will be able to put the matter to bed today and inform us that he will meet them as soon as possible.

There are serious issues relating to the debt of the IGB. There have been resignations from the organisation in recent years and many related questions. There are serious questions about the rebuilding of the stadium in Limerick, for example, and the re-design of the first bend in particular. Some of the associated legal issues relate to injuries to animals, etc. I have also heard reference to a significant amount of cronyism on the boards of the greyhound tracks and suggestions that the boards are being filled with political cronies, which is not necessarily the best way to go. These people do not necessarily have the relevant expertise. I hope the Minister of State will discuss the matter.

One of the biggest issues I have heard raised is the doping of dogs and the numbers using drugs to enhance their performance. This is dealing a death blow to the whole industry. I understand that in 2012, some 6,000 samples were taken from dogs. As of January this year, only 17 results from those tests have been published. There is a need for more independence for the control committee, which should be independent of the IGB. People should be absolutely clear that any regime of doping will not be tolerated in the Irish greyhound industry. I call for the transparent publication of all the tests that have been done forthwith.

Recently greyhound matters have been raised at meetings of the Committee of Public Accounts. The Minister of State mentioned this in his speech but he did not go into the detail. I imagine there will be follow-up to the committee hearings. I will be following up with my colleague, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, on the issue to ensure full transparency around the financial issues relating to the IGB.

I am led to believe that the tote figures, for example, are kept separate from the track accounts. I understand that in recent years the tote has been the money generating operation and that the associated money goes directly into the IGB, while those responsible for the tracks are finding it difficult to maintain day-to-day existence because of the costs. It has been noted in correspondence and it has been said to me that there is major difference between the tote receipts that had been projected and the tote receipts that have been seen, even taking into consideration the economic downturn. Let us compare the tote figures for the horseracing industry and the greyhound industry. In 2012, there was a 60.4% change in the tote compared with the horseracing industry change of 14.8%. Something very strange seems to be going on. I wish to emphasise that there is low morale among many ordinary punters involved in the industry. Can the Minister of State reassure us that the Department is aware of the financial situation at Bord na gCon and whether there is cause for concern?

Will he also indicate when he intends to ask that the 2012 accounts for Bord na gCon be produced? Two reports relating to investigations into the sport that were commissioned by Bord na gCon and these have not yet been published. The Minister of State is aware of the contents of those reports. Is he in a position to reassure the House that the regulations relating to the breeding and racing of greyhounds are enforced and that compliance is the norm? Will he publish the reports to which I refer? What is the current status of the review of Bord na gCon, a report in respect of which is due at the end of the month? What is his opinion on the industry and does he have a view on the direction in which it is going?