Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the many speakers who spoke up for our secretaries. In response to what Senator Sherlock said, I was a Deputy and two people worked with me. My secretary is doing the work of two people. Incredibly, on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays she is doing work that I would not ask anybody to do. These people are so committed and dedicated. I hope we can solve this issue as quickly as possible.

I support all of the people who have spoken here this morning about violence against women. We must all work very hard to ensure that we stamp it out. In that regard, I welcome the funding announced to date by the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to help a number of groups with the issue. The Government is going to address this issue as soon as possible, and I hope it will do all the right things.

I will finish with a plea for the pony racing industry, which you know well in your part of the country, a Chathaoirligh, in the south - in Kerry and in Cork. There are races in Dingle. Senator Paddy Burke knows about the races in Galway and there are also races in my county of Roscommon and in parts of Meath. Pony racing is such a part of the community all over the country. Pony racing has produced the finest jockeys who have become worldwide names. The sector is struggling and it gets no funding. Despite Horse Racing Ireland getting a budget of almost €80 million, it claims it can give no funding to pony racing.

I also wish to deal with another aspect of the matter. Many a young lad and lassie in the community can go a little bit wild, if I can use that term with respect. Many of them have been brought on board by people in the horse racing industry and they have turned out to be incredible leaders. There is no doubt about it. Apart from the joy of it, the fact is that this has been such a brilliant process for helping people who might be getting into a little bit of bother to get back on track. I appeal that a small amount of funding, less than €100,000 per annum, could be given to that business in order to ensure that it survives. If it does not survive, we will pay a huge cost.