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

I have, however, seen the investment being made in other racecourses. Improving facilities at racecourses is critical to punters and the welfare of horses.

I also take Senator Daly's point that greyhound and horse racing meetings would be much the poorer if we were to lose the colour associated with on-course bookmakers. While I am aware that issues have arisen between on-course bookmakers and Horse Racing Ireland, I am led to believe these have been substantially resolved. I hope that is the case because the tracks would be rather colourless if we were to depend entirely on tote betting and online betting, with fellows placing bets on their mobile phones and so on. We need to be conscious of this issue.

On harness racing, I dealt with this matter and I appreciate the issue raised by Senator Mac Lochlainn. I have met the organisation to which the Senator referred and I understand what it wishes to achieve. The Indecon report makes clear what road needs to be travelled. This destination cannot be reached overnight, however, and I appreciate it is a challenge for the organisation in question.

In terms of the disbursement of public funds, we must ensure the organisation is fit for purpose. I believe it will get to that point but it will take time for it to establish itself, meet corporate governance requirements, produce a five-year strategy, etc.We will work with them. I have made this point to them and my Department's door is open to them in terms of guidance and advice. We are increasing the funding available under a pilot programme that we have run with them up to now as a symbol of our goodwill. We will work with them to get them to where we want them to be because we see public gain to be had as well from being able to work with the Irish Harness Racing Association. This is not just to achieve the potential of the sector, which is undoubtedly significant and untapped at the moment, but also the issues of horse welfare and sulky racing on public roads. A proper competitive structure that can deal with that in an appropriate setting rather than on public roads where it is unauthorised in many instances and ungoverned, would be beneficial to everybody.

I hope I have not missed anything. I appreciate the points made by Members and I will reflect on those that are not specifically germane to the motion. I thank the Members for their support of the proposal.