Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am speaking to my amendment in conjunction with Senator Ruane. It was probably remiss of me not to include the term "veterinary practitioner" in my amendment. Where I am coming from on this is that it is well-known in the House that my background is more in horse racing than the greyhound business. I have based the amendment on the model of Horse Racing Ireland, HRI. There are representatives on the HRI board from stable staff and trainers to the Association of Irish Racecourses. My thinking in submitting this amendment is that, as Senator Ruane just said, depending on how the board would come together over a period, it is conceivable that none of the aforementioned - the breeders, owners, trainers or independent tracks - would have direct representation, and decisions would be made by the board which would directly affect them. It is very important that they have a voice in the room. I will give one example which could happen down the line. If the independent tracks were not represented, the board could conceivably be seen in every decision it makes to be favouring its own tracks. For this reason, it is very important that the independent tracks be represented, likewise the breeders, owners and trainers. As Senator Ruane said, the amendments are fairly self-explanatory and I hope the Government will see fit to accept them for the positive purposes and reasons for which they are intended.