Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Aontaim leis an méid atá luaite ag Seanadoiri maidir le cursaí Stena i nDún Laoghaire. It is a very disappointing turnaround that Stena is discontinuing the services from Dún Laoghaire. I think of the Irish people who have been forced to emigrate and work in the UK, in particular, and possibly in mainland Europe, who use the service regularly. It is unfortunate they will no longer have that option. The emigration figures mask the backslapping in Government circles about the increase in jobs because, on closer examination, more people would be unemployed in the west if it were not for emigration. It is a pressure cooker scenario in that emigration has let the Government off the hook.

I call for a debate on an industry that has huge potential, the greyhound industry. We debated this matter previously and we heard about difficulties in Bord na gCon which were to be addressed and rectified. We were told about an overhaul that was to happen in the organisation. It would be useful to have the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, come to the House to discuss how the work is proceeding, whether the targets set down have been reached, whether the debt restructuring has been adhered to and if the future is rosy for that industry on which so many people depend. A large number of charitable organisations and other fund-raising groups use the greyhound tracks as venues for events. The Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation is a significant grouping in rural Ireland. The future of Bord na gCon and the greyhound industry in general would be a good debate which may also be timely.