Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming to the House to discuss an issue that can cause passion and on which there will be different views. As always in this House, there will be a respectful debate from every side and, hopefully, we will reach a consensus.

Most people would agree that the horse and greyhound racing industries have a special place in Irish life and a fundamental position in Irish sport. They are crucial to our economy, intrinsic to our identity and are landmarks in our social and cultural heritage. There is an undeniable passion and enthusiasm for these sports across the country. It has been the long-standing policy of successive Governments to enable these industries to realise their maximum potential and, in doing so, to play a part in the economic and social development of our nation. I remind Members that those were Fianna Fáil Governments, Fine Gael and Labour Party Governments, the Fine Gael, Labour Party and Democratic Left Government, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats Governments and the current Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. Under all Governments in this country there has been support for the industry.

Given the wide geographical dispersal of the two industries, they are important to the achievement of more balanced regional growth. In this context, the considerable contribution the industries make to rural economic activity and employment must be acknowledged. I offer the example of the racing scene in Roscommon, Sligo, Ballinrobe in Mayo, Kilbeggan in Westmeath, Limerick, Navan in County Meath, Wexford and Thurles in Tipperary.There are race meetings all around the country, without counting the Dublin venues in that. The Curragh in Kildare is another. One must remember that the volume of economic activity created by those events is very important to our economy. Between the horse and greyhound industries and associated jobs, we are talking about in excess of 30,000 jobs if everything is taken into account. I have done my own calculations on that.

I understand the passion of some people around animal welfare. I think we all accept that in some areas animal welfare was an issue but there are 14 greyhound stadiums around the countries in places such as Mullingar and Galway, Tipperary, Cork and here in Dublin; I think the Longford one is gone. Those meetings throughout the year generate a great deal of economic activity in those areas and a considerable number of jobs.

It is important that we look at Covid and what it has done to the business, as the Minister said. Like every other part of Irish society, Covid will have a significant impact. It is important when we talk about increased funding in the area, that we realise the great dent in the amount generated in that business.

Before I conclude, I wish to address animal welfare. I acknowledge the Minister's remarks here that, given all the moneys granted to those boards, animal welfare must be a serious consideration. We must take into account that there has been a lot of progress in animal welfare. I will give a few examples. The Greyhound Racing Act 2019 has a traceability model to enable tracing of racing greyhounds throughout their lives. The board tendered for the establishment of a traceability system for racing greyhounds in early 2020 and it is expected that the traceability system will be delivered to RCE, Rásíocht Con Éireann, probably very shortly. Incentivising and rehoming of greyhounds in Ireland through additional supports through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust is established and operated by RCE. With the establishment of a separate greyhound care fund and the opening of care centres for retired greyhounds while they await rehoming, the welfare of greyhounds remains a priority for RCE and was a key consideration during the suspension of racing activity. Between 24 March and 8 June 2020, RCE implemented a Covid-19 greyhound care payment scheme of €2 per day in respect of each active greyhound. The Department of Agriculture and the Marine has received assurances that the board remains committed to the protection of the integrity of the greyhound industry and to promoting the welfare of greyhounds. The Department is also assured that all necessary resources are being committed to those ends. Greyhound Racing Ireland has been implementing an ambitious care and welfare programme through the setting up of a care fund in 2019; notwithstanding the collapse in commercial revenues arising from the impact of Covid-19 and resulting impact on care fund income, greyhound racing is committed to increasing the spend on care and welfare as part of its overall programme. There are many other issues I could mention.

The people of Ireland, and the people of rural Ireland, love their animals. I was brought up on a farm with a love of animals, of cattle, sheep and one's dog or horse. Who would have a horse on their land? All small farmers from humble backgrounds had. I think that Irish people are the same today. I am totally in favour of the welfare of animals and improving that but we must be resolute in supporting both the horse and greyhound industry. There are a lot of jobs at stake but we must also be very serious about the welfare issue.