Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Bernard Caldwell, chief executive of the Irish Stablestaff Association, to the Visitors Gallery. I welcome the Horse Racing Ireland Bill 2015. I followed the extensive debate on the Bill the Lower House last week. The Bill strengthens governance and transparency in the racing industry, which is very important. It increases efficiency and provides clarity of functions between the HRI and the Racing Regulatory Body, RRB. It helps to control State funding in both the horse and greyhound industry. Senator Ó Domhnaill spoke earlier about the greyhound industry. When the Minister spoke about the most recent round of funding for the greyhound industry, he spoke about ring-fencing funds for prize money to prevent funds going into the black hole of Bord na gCon’s debt. This is important because, no more than the horse industry, the greyhound industry at the lower end is going through a difficult period. We know that from statistics and owners.

We also know the horse industry is in difficulty. While over 18,000 people are working in the industry and the headline figures are good, there are many people struggling at the lower end of it. We should not lose sight of that either. It is great to see breeders coming into Ireland, as well as well-heeled owners putting their horses into training here. However, it is also important to remember that the small operator, who in many cases is a part-time trainer or farmer, needs to have some skin in the game to remain in the industry. If they do not, they give up.

I welcome the fact the Minister has taken on board the recommendations of the Indecon and the Smith & Williamson reports and included them in the provisions of the Bill. I also welcome the fact that the Minister has broadened the board of HRI to include a member from the Irish Stablestaff Association. It represents the largest number of employees in the business and it is important their voice is heard at the board. For many years, it was not. They are now better represented and their terms of employment have been greatly improved. This is in no small measure to Bernard Caldwell.

I welcome the provision on fines and the clarification of the functions of HRI, as well as the separation of the roles of the RRB and HRI. I also welcome the deduction of part of the prize moneys for various funds such as the jockey and trainer pension trust and the welfare fund, which is very important. This needed to be enshrined in legislation. There was anecdotal evidence that sometimes the apportionment of these moneys did not find itself where it should have.

The strengthening of governance has been referred to by many speakers already. This is a very important area as people need to have trust and faith in the industry. That can only be done through good governance. We do not see this to the same extent in the greyhound industry. If the Minister is back in office after the election I hope that will be his next task. Senators Comiskey and Ó Domhnaill referred to the agriculture committee report on the greyhound and horse industry, which made 44 recommendations for the horse racing industry and 13 for the greyhound industry.Much of what was recommended in that report has been incorporated into this Bill. The next area for address by the Minister if he is re-elected, and I hope that he is because as stated by Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, he is doing an excellent job in this area, is the greyhound industry, which is extremely ill at the moment. There is no point pretending otherwise. If the difficulties in that industry are not grasped by somebody like the Minister, it will not survive. I am glad to say that the prognosis is better in terms of horse racing, as evident from the already improving figures at race tracks across the country.

I listened to the debate on this Bill in the Lower House, during which there was much interaction between the Minister and members of my own party and the Opposition on the point-to-point issue, which I enjoyed. The Minister referenced in his opening speech today that he has taken cognisance of some of the issues raised at that time and has amended the Bill to take account of others. I would welcome if he could clarify which of the amendments to this Bill arise out of the issues raised during the debate in the Dáil. I have a copy of that debate, 12 pages of which are a report of the interaction between the Minister and Members. However, I am none the wiser as to what changes the Minister has taken on board.

I hope that this Bill is passed by the Seanad this evening and can then be signed by the President within the next week. The horse racing industry is in a good state. My interest in it comes from my father who bred horses at the lower end of the scale, such that they did not qualify as race horses. They were half-breeds as we would know them. I have a great interest in point-to-point racing. I first saw Faugheen in a point-to-point race. He was later sold for €10,000. The nearest point-to-point race track to me is located across the road from where I live and it is run by Mr. Johnny Walsh, chairman of the Kilmoganny hunt in Carrick-on-Suir. Racing takes place on the rawest and wettest winter days. For me, the joys of Cheltenham and what happens there with horses, such as Faugheen, is what this industry is about. I respect that the flat industry is the other side of the coin but I was never introduced to that and I do not know too much about it.

In terms of the introduction of this legislation, the Minister has done a great job. I would welcome it if he could clarify the issues I raised. As I said, I hope the Bill is passed by the Seanad tonight without any difficulty.