Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for a very comprehensive and detailed explanation of the Bill. It was really appreciated. I do not intend to go through the Bill in such detail step by step today. That would be more appropriate to further Stages. Fianna Fáil supports the Bill and its passage to the next Stage.

The Bill, as the Minister of State said, seeks to improve governance of Bord na gCon. It strengthens the regulatory framework and controls in the racing industry. It also updates sanctions and improves integrity in the sector, including in respect of greyhound welfare, as a statutory function of Bord na gCon, which will soon be known as Rásaíocht Con Éireann, while empowering the authority to make regulations with respect to integrity, traceability, anti-doping and administration. Unfortunately, this is another example of the Government's sluggish legislative delivery. It has dragged its feet in implementing the recommendations in the 2016 all-party joint committee on the Irish greyhound industry, the 2014 Indecon report on the sector and the 2016 Morris review of anti-doping and medication in Ireland, commissioned by Bord na gCon itself. All these reports have exposed deficiencies in the governance of the greyhound industry, industry standards and greyhound welfare. The proposals in the reports are pivotal to securing the future of the industry and strengthening governance, administrative and animal welfare structures.

Promoting public confidence in the sport, industry and business was important. It is a game that is often portrayed in a bad light, as is most evident from the highlighting of illegal and horrific training regimes that were in practice in Australia. By virtue of the fact that we were waiting for this Bill, it left our industry somewhat vulnerable and open to an onslaught from by the general public. I hope this Bill will help to enhance the image of greyhound racing. The Government should have exhibited greater urgency in trying to pass this legislation swiftly.

Greyhound racing employs in the region of over 5,000 people and contributes an estimated €300 million annually in economic output to local economies around tracks over a wide geographical spread. Since 2002, over 10 million people have attended greyhound racing meetings. As the Minister of State said, the majority of the 18 tracks are in rural areas. Most training yards and most greyhound owners are rurally based. The associated financial input is vital to the rural communities concerned.

Fianna Fáil is committed to developing the greyhound industry as a quality Irish industry through good regulation and maintaining premier animal welfare standards and enforcement. It is vital, in ensuring the integrity of the industry, to make sure the highest standards permeated all levels. We do not condone any cruelty to any animals, including greyhounds. I encourage anyone who is aware of cruelty to report it immediately to the relevant authorities.

This Bill relates to the welfare of greyhounds, including the use of funds to enhance the welfare of greyhounds and improved investigatory powers in regard to greyhound welfare. Animal welfare groups inputted their policy proposals at the pre-legislative stage of the Bill before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, of which I am a member. Great credit is due to the committee because this Bill was examined very thoroughly. All those who deserved or needed to have an input were invited to meetings of the committee, and all their recommendations were taken very much on board.

Representatives stated additional funds were needed to look after dogs when they stop racing. The State must ensure sufficient funding is made available to cater for this. Fianna Fáil supports the annual horse and greyhound racing fund proposals laid before the Houses, as provided for under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. This Act paved the way for substantial changes in both structures and funding for this key national asset. As stated, €80 million was allocated in 2018 to the horse and greyhound racing fund, with 80% going to Horse Racing Ireland. Basically, this amounted to €64 million, while 20%, amounting to €16 million, went to Bord na gCon. I welcome the fact that, under budget 2019, it is proposed to increase the funding by €800,000 to €16.8 million. I hope that, following the sale of the stadium at Harold's Cross, and now that Bord na gCon is in a position to write off its long-standing debts, there will be more financial resources available within the industry to invest in the smaller rural tracks and to put towards the implementation of many measures in the Bill. I look forward to the Bill progressing through the Houses and to its imminent implementation.