Paul Bradford (Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

That particular programme, which was on a Saturday afternoon, was responsible for a huge number of people following the sport of horse racing, although some in only a passing way. Attendance at race meetings has decreased. The failure of a new generation to emerge as racing fans is a cause for concern. We must push those State agencies over which we have some control to ensure greater coverage of this sport.Whereas Ireland succeeds admirably on the international stage in horse racing, we should try to ensure it is covered from a media perspective. I refer not merely to success and prize money but also to jobs created in virtually every county. This is in passing and beyond the scope of the Bill, but the Minister might speak to whosoever has a say in that regard.

The Minister referred to the Indecon report, from which the Bill stems. It was published in 2012 and work probably started on it in 2011 or thereabouts. I compliment all concerned. However, life moves on quickly and what is now needed is another such report on the broader aspects of the economic and other benefits of the industry to the economy, the rural economy in particular, as well as on how to plan ahead. In a sense, the Bill pertains more to the structures, administration and mechanisms of trying to do things properly, but the next report, independently commissioned or, I hope, commissioned by the Department, must examine the future of the industry, its future funding and future participants, how more people are to be engaged in the industry and how to ensure it will continue to go from success to success. One cannot be sure of the permanent success of the horse racing and horse breeding industry as new challenges are emerging. Other governments and countries across the globe are learning from us. I refer to Ireland's engagement to an extent with the Chinese. An entire racing industry is probably about to be born in China. All of these challenges will emerge and we must plan for them. While this is legislation about regulation stemming from the Indecon report, it should be possible to commission a report on the future of the industry and how to ensure its growth, expansion and central relevance to the rural economy.

While I apologise for missing the commencement of the Minister's speech, I was listening to it on the Seanad phone-in service and heard the Minister responding in advance to amendments that had not yet been proposed. I thank him for trying to assist Members in that regard. However, I was taken by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh's comments about what I still call the Turf Club side of the Bill. My general view of the world is that when something is not broken, one should not deliberately try to fix it. I note progress has been made and appreciate that arising from the Committee Stage debate, the earlier debate and, presumably, from representations the Minister has received and meetings he has held, he introduced further important Committee Stage amendments last week to try to ease the concerns and worries of the Turf Club that somehow this could be the beginning of a takeover. Members must assert strongly that without the absolute independence, integrity and freedom of the Turf Club, the industry would not and will not receive the level of respect it requires. A few months ago I had thought Members would be debating a slightly different version of the Bill and, to be honest, even though it might have been a single voice, I was committed to voting against it. However, I acknowledge that the Minister has made amendments and gone some distance towards assuring the Turf Club of the absolute integrity of its services. Nevertheless, it is necessary to continue to provide such reassurance and one does not need this Bill to be the first part of a five part takeover. The industry has worked well and throughout the country, at race meetings and point-to-point meetings, thousands of people contribute on a voluntary basis, much of which stems from the services being provided by the Turf Club. I was genuinely but pleasantly surprised to learn that the hundreds of stewards who worked across the country did so in an entirely voluntary capacity. There was a time when one thought the same applied to the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, but it certainly applies to the Turf Club. It is great that so many people are willing to be involved and give of their time and effort on an absolutely voluntary basis. That is why the integrity and independence of the Turf Club must be central to the administrative side of the structure. Point-to-point meeting regulation and management gave rise to a major argument at the pre-legislative stage when colleagues on all sides of the House expressed their views to the Minister in that regard. Not being a legal expert, he has attempted to resolve the issue as best as possible. Point-to-point racing has been the nursery of many national hunt champions and worked well, again on a highly voluntary, rural and community basis. Members should try to ensure it will stay as close as possible to that model because it is not broken. Therefore, they should be no attempt to fix it.

I have one question on section 9 of the Bill. While Bills which have been published and passed and memorandums all get mixed up, presumably section 9 is still the provision which relates to the foal levy. This is probably a question the Minister does not wish me to ask, but it is on liability for the foal levy. While it may be extraneous to this legislation, he will be aware of the level of disquiet about the foal levy calculation. It may be the subject of a number of legal interventions and I understand the Minister has had meetings or certainly considered representations on the matter of the calculation of the levey. I am fortunate to be in this House by virtue of my nomination by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, for which I am thankful. However, it is fair to state many breeders believe their view of the foal levy is not being represented and presented sufficiently to the Minister, although I acknowledge that the IFA has been making inquiries and representations. I may not have time to go into the issue in full, but there is a significant variation between what is being demanded in the foal levy in some cases and what the owners of foals believe they should pay. It stems from the fact that, as the Minister is aware, the advertised fees for a particular stallion often, if not always, are at significant variance with the paid fees. The argument concerns what the level of fee should be and who should be the final arbitrator. While the Minister might respond to that point, overall I give guarded support to the legislation. It is welcome that the Minister has moved to address some concerns about the regulation and integrity of the industry. Perhaps Members might hear further from him on Committee Stage.