Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators who spoke on the motion before the House. I will first deal in summary with the broader greyhound issues. In 2016, a total of 5,387 analytic samples were taken from greyhounds, of which 48 resulted in a positive test. In my view, this is 48 too many positive tests. There are, however, issues around the interpretation of results in terms of levels, circumstances and context. I do not propose to go into this issue, nor do I intend to comment on any specific case or media coverage of these matters. There are media outlets which are entirely hostile to the greyhound industry and will avail of every opportunity to denigrate it. It is important to put this issue in context. It is relatively small and receives disproportionate media coverage. As I stated, however, 48 positive tests are 48 positive tests too many.

One of the objectives of the forthcoming legislation is to provide a new regulatory statutory framework for the greyhound racing industry. I hope the legislation will be approved by the Government before the end of the year and debated in the Houses early in 2018. It will deal with integrity and governance in the greyhound industry, other issues and the current inadequate statutory structures. Significant heavy lifting was done by the joint committee in the pre-legislative scrutiny stage and this work has been taken on board and will be reflected in the Bill. As the legislation passes through the House, I hope it will be improved through the input of Members.

I do not want a message to go out that this industry has a problem that is out of control. The figures I cited - 48 positive results out of 5,387 tests in 2016 - give an indication of the extent of the problem. A question also arises regarding the subsequent interpretation of the 48 positive results, although I do not propose to comment in detail on that issue.

I acknowledge Senator Paul Daly's broadly positive comments on the motion and proposed funding. I also take his point that we would like to further increase funding for the industry, which will not increase compared with last year. However, it must also be borne in mind that the allocation was increased by €6 million in each of the preceding three years. We have, therefore, had three successive years of substantial funding increases for the industry. In the context of a difficult budgetary position, funding for 2018 will remain at the same level as in 2017. I am satisfied that the funding provided is adequate.

In the broader equine sector, we have proposed increased funding for the sport horse sector, an area of the industry that shows significant potential. This funding follows the implementation of the recommendations on governance set out in the Indecon report. I will speak in a moment on harness racing. There is good reason to be optimistic that the sport horse sector can make further progress on the basis of the analysis done by Indecon.

The equine industry is an all-island industry and Brexit brings a degree of uncertainty as to how it will develop. We have had considerable engagement with the sector on Brexit matters, the all-Ireland nature of the sector and the tripartite governance between Ireland, the United Kingdom and France on the movement of horses, etc. It is a cause of significant concern and one that we have brought to the attention of the Barnier negotiating team.

I also note Senator Daly's observation on matters currently before the Workplace Relations Commission. We retain an interest in and watching brief on these matters. I am conscious that this issue could have an adverse impact on the sector generally but particularly on smaller yards and training and breeding establishments. We await the outcome of the WRC's deliberations.

Senator Mulherin referred to animal welfare, which is one of the issues that will be part and parcel of the new legislation. There will be improved standards in greyhound welfare. Adverse publicity can be expected on all animal welfare issues. My Department is working with and providing significant funding to a variety of animal welfare organisations. I propose to increase this funding next year and allocations in this area will be made shortly. There will be no hiding place in my Department on animal welfare issues. The law in this area has been improved significantly to ensure people who are guilty of animal welfare abuses are dealt with.

Senator Paul Daly referred to Kilbeggan race course and Senator Mulherin referred to Ballinrobe race course. Both Senators will be aware that a programme of improvements in capital investment in racecourses is under way. Unfortunately, while I have passed Kilbeggan on recent visits to Senator Daly's part of the country, I have not yet visited the town's racecourse. That is a treat that awaits me.