Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the first amendment. It is sensible and opportune to have someone with veterinary expertise on the board given the welfare issues that exist, including the drug issue. That is a major issue, which we will address in subsequent sections. I support that amendment without qualification.

One of the concerns I have relates to the Irish Greyhound Board and the proposal to increase the membership up to eight ordinary members as well as the chairperson. There is a general point about increasing the size of boards. There is no international evidence available to suggest that increasing the size of a board, whether of a company in the private sector, a public limited company or a semi-State body, leads to an improvement in decision-making, accountability or transparency. There is no evidence that I am aware of to support increasing the number of members of the board. The proposal to increase the size of the board is being taken at a time when the revenues are falling in the Irish Greyhound Board, especially income from the tote and stadiums. There are major difficulties in this area.

I agree with Senator Norris. There is clear need to have people on the board with impeccable expertise, especially around the issue of the business model of the company. This organisation continues to lose money. Certainly, there is a strategy to improve the governance and income but it is dependent on the taxpayer for a large proportion of its income. In 2007, the IGB depended on taxpayers for approximately 20% of its income. This year, its dependence on the taxpayer stands at approximately 40%. That raises grave questions about the way the board has been headed until now.

I realise the board has a new chairman and chief executive and I wish them well. However, there is a need for new direction and to listen to the stakeholders, something that has not been happening heretofore. The board, especially the previous board and its chairman, had serious questions to answer. They failed to answer those questions. We need to have independent people who can bring some transparency to the board and have no vested or conflicting interests. That problem has dogged this industry. Whether it is true or otherwise, there is a perception that the stakeholders in the industry believe there are too many vested interests at the table where the board sits. If that is the case, it needs to be rooted out. There is no point in changing or increasing the size of the board if we do not deal with those issues. Bringing in proper expertise involves appointing individuals who can add value, are independent and do not have the conflicts of interest that have marred the greyhound industry in recent years. I support Senator Ruane's amendment for these reasons.

My good colleague, Senator Paul Daly, has also proposed an amendment. I have spoken to the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation, which is not seeking a position on the board. The federation wants people appointed who can bring something to the board, are independent of mind and transparent in their decision-making processes. If the federation is to be provided with a position on the board, that is fine. The nomination of that person should be made by the federation and be elected from the federation in a democratic manner through its internal structures. I imagine Senator Daly would agree with that. Both amendments aim to strengthen the Bill.

I may introduce an amendment on Report Stage. What is the rationale for increasing the board size? Some of those who appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine recommended increasing the size of the board. However, increasing board membership does not necessarily bring about better boards. We could increase the numbers on the board. The question is whether that adds to productivity, efficiency or the effective running of the board. There is no evidence to suggest it does.

The amendment on including a veterinarian on the board is very important. There should be veterinary expertise on the board to understand the complexities around animal welfare and deal once and for all with the drugs issue that has marred the sport in recent years.