Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach and Members for the various contributions this evening, for the passion with which everyone spoke to the motion, and for the tremendous interest there has been in it. I apologise again for the disruption at the start when I was delayed in leaving the Cabinet subcommittee meeting.

We have discussed this topic in great detail in the Dáil. I know many Senators also directly contributed to the debate at the Oireachtas committee on this issue. The one clear message from every speaker here this evening is that everyone in this House is determined and consistent on the importance of welfare standards and care for both horses and greyhounds. Indeed that is a priority that is shared, as we know and has been outlined by speakers here this evening, by owners of horses and greyhounds throughout the country. It is crucial that is the case. I have a strong message for anyone who would in any way move away from those high standards that owners expect of other owners and we expect of everyone involved as well. We will come down like a tonne of bricks on anyone who disrespects the principle of the importance of caring for both horses and greyhounds. When we look across both sectors there is great care. No one spoke to that better than Senator Kyne, when he spoke about his own experience of his own father and the care and attention that was brought. That is representative of horse owners and dog owners throughout the country.

Overall, these are two important sectors, not just for the enjoyment they bring to those who participate in them and those who attend them but also because of their economic output for the economy. Greyhound racing is a smaller sector but it is important throughout the country. It is especially important in rural Ireland, but it also has an important heritage in urban centres, such as in urban Dublin. Our horse racing sector is a beacon across the world, considering what we have built up and developed over the years. The horse and greyhound funding we give is very important as a generator for that sector by keeping it moving and pushing it on and providing leadership to a sector that is envied across the world and which we all intend to build on in the time ahead.

I recognise the role of Horse Racing Ireland and of Rásaíocht Con Éireann in providing stewardship and leadership to both those sectors. They recognise the widespread support across both Houses of the Oireachtas and across the vast majority of Members continuing with the State funding of both sectors to keep them at the centre of society so that they can be a key stimulant that underpins both of those sectors.

I thank the Acting Chair for his discretion and co-operation here this evening. I thank all Members for their participation here and at the Oireachtas committee. I know the Oireachtas committee in particular will continue to work with Rásaíocht Con Éireann and Horse Racing Ireland on this as the year progresses. Certainly, I look forward to doing that and to seeing both these industries strengthen in the time ahead and continuing to be important parts of Irish rural life as well as the Irish economy with, importantly, the highest of welfare standards at the centre of both.