Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In response to the Minister of State's deliberation, we can use language in any way we so desire. To portray an image of stakeholders within the industry on a board as having vested interests can sound whatever way the speaker from the Government side wants it to be heard. Who else is appropriate to be on a board other than people who have an interest in the workings of that board? My amendment specifically reads "one shall be nominated for appointment thereto by such persons as the Minister considers to be representative". The Minister is having a say in who he believes are the representatives of the breeders, owners, trainers and independent tracks. He will also have the final say in vetting their nominee.

Taking the two amendments together, we are talking about four people - three on foot of my amendment and one on foot of Senator Ruane's amendment. That is still four out of nine so, collectively or individually, they still cannot dominate the board but they will be a voice for the stakeholders in that industry. It is ludicrous for the Minister of State to talk about putting a board together to run an industry, leaving the stakeholders in that industry, the people who have vested interests in the success of the industry and whose day-to-day workings are keeping the industry alive, outside the room and not having any input in any way. It is not as if they will come in and take over the board. We are talking about four nominees on a board of nine who, even collectively, cannot dominate the board.