Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody who contributed to the debate in the House this afternoon. It was important to have the debate and to provide oversight of the spending of the horse and greyhound fund. Between yesterday and next Tuesday I will have appeared on four occasions in one week in the Houses of the Oireachtas to discuss the horse and greyhound fund. Senator Ruane mentioned earlier that it would not be debated in the Dáil but it will be next Tuesday. It was discussed at length before the agriculture committee yesterday and in the Dáil this morning as part of a Private Members' motion. It is being discussed in the Seanad now and it will be discussed in the Dáil next Tuesday. We could not be accused of not properly teasing out these matters.

Technically, it is a requirement every year that we seek the approval of both Houses for additional allocations in the fund. As I outlined in my opening statement and many Members mentioned in the Chamber, there is value in both the horse and greyhound racing industries to the country, those who participate in them and the economy and employment. It is important that we, as a Government, support those economic activities and recognise them as an important part of rural traditions and heritage, as well as urban heritage. In the greyhound sector in particular there is a strong urban heritage for the sport.

Many of the contributions indicated the importance attached to welfare and I absolutely concur with that. It is crucial. Both Horse Racing Ireland and Rásaíocht Con Éireann are clear in ensuring the best welfare measures are implemented and that practices continue to improve. There has been particular comment on the greyhound sector in recent years and it is something Rásaíocht Con Éireann has taken very seriously. It is committing a minimum of 10% of funding it received towards continuing to increase animal welfare measures and supports that are in place.

I know many contributions referred to the traceability system that is currently being put in place and that is really important. Some of the funding is going to that. There is also rehoming support and care homes, and the funding will help continue those in the year ahead. State funding is dependent on those high standards being followed and implemented.

I ask for the support of the House with this funding. The increase particularly relates to Covid-19 as for much of the year, neither industry has been able to hold races nor have they had racing behind closed doors, thereby losing much revenue. I know there is not unanimous support for this and some people are clearly not in favour of spending public funds in this regard. The majority are in favour of it and recognise the value and importance of the industries. Some Members are very much in the middle of the road, and one of the benefits of speaking to this on up to four occasions in the course of a week is that I can see the various different approaches even within parties. I note Sinn Féin in particular in this regard, and the views depend on which Member I speak to. Over the past two or three years the view of those Members very much depended on who they were talking to as well. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the party opposed the horse and greyhound racing fund.

Last year Deputy Brian Stanley said after the debate that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party should be ashamed for passing the motion and the obscene levels of funding. The party's spokesperson, Deputy Carthy, one year on was very much in favour of the level of funding passed last year but he does not want the increases for this year. We are seeing that Sinn Féin seems to be very much in favour of the industry but is just one year behind the curve. The party now supports the levels it saw as "obscene" and shameful last year. We look forward to seeing what will be the position of the party next year or even next week. I commend the motion to the House.