Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, to the House. I welcome the debate we are having tonight. I will put on record that I am neither an owner or breeder of greyhounds or horses. I am, however, an extraordinary supporter of the industries on which we need to have a balanced debate in these House. To listen to some of the discourse tonight, one would think the men and women who work in our greyhound and horse racing industries have no care or concern and are only motivated by own thing, which is very unfair.

I welcome the allocation of €72.8 million to Horse Racing Ireland. I commend the Minister on the work he is doing. Yes, the funding is significant, but the contribution of our horse racing and greyhound industries to our national psyche, rural community and economies both urban and rural is absolutely extraordinary. It is not about jobs, which are important, and it is not about balanced regional development. I can tell all those who are watching and listening, however, about the buzz, excitement and interest in the Irish Laurels at Cork greyhound track on a Saturday a few weeks ago. It was the biggest crowd at the track in a long time. I commend Mr. Frank Nyhan, Mr. Jimmy Barry Murphy and all involved in the greyhound industry on bringing back the Irish Laurels in the autumn and ensuring the Cork track was full on the night of the final.

The 2021 report by Jim Power entitled, The Economic and Financial Significance of the Irish Greyhound Industry is worth reading for a number of reasons. There is a telling line in it that without Government support, "there would be considerable implications for rural employment and economic activity." That is a very important line.

Some of the political parties in these House of the Oireachtas speak about how rural Ireland is dying or how Government is not doing enough for rural Ireland. We have two industries, as Senator Paul Daly very eloquently outlined, that are at the heart and core of rural Ireland. Senator Lombard spoke about Glenbane Bridge, which is a great place for greyhounds and horses. Up the road in Belgooly is Mr. Robert Splaine's showjumping farm. Are we really saying we are going to just flick a switch and write off a sport that has brought so much joy and economic benefit to our country? Is that what we are saying? Look at the row this week between Mr. Gordon Elliott and Mr. Paul Nicholls about the state of Irish racing versus British racing. This morning, Mr. Michael O'Leary, an entrepreneur and businessman who has given investment to horse racing in our country, appeared before the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications.

Are we seriously saying that the joy of winning up the hill in Cheltenham, heading to Epsom Downs to win or going across to America for the Breeder's Cup or whatever will not be of benefit to our country? When we look at breeding, we see the renowned acclaim that Coolmore Stud is given across the world. Let us, therefore, have a real debate about the greyhound industry in terms its challenges, and it is facing challenges. There is declining attendance. Tracks are being closed. The Greyhound Racing Act 2019 about which Senator Higgins spoke, however, puts in place a legal statute for the need for strong regulation. The whole greyhound traceability system, for example, enables greyhounds to be traced throughout their lives. The Rásaíocht Con Éireann system was introduced in 2021 in terms of greyhound welfare. It is important that we look at the whole issue. We should not shy away from the fact that as Senator Paul Daly said, there are issues that need to be addressed. We have issues in terms of the board of Horse Racing Ireland and the appointment of a chief executive in the greyhound industry. I am confident our industry will stand up to scrutiny, however, and will be recognised as being a good one.I accept that, as Senator Hoey said, there were elements in the "Prime Time" report that were disturbing. Those of us who love those sports do not get any joy in issues of welfare being brought forward and people being found guilty. They should be held to account. I make no apology for saying that. Any of the people I know who are involved in greyhounds or horseracing are very important.

Senator Daly touched on an important point, one that is not necessarily pertinent to this debate but one on which we need to dwell, namely the issue of all-weather tracks. We have seen the success in Dundalk. Senator Daly is in Kilbeggan in the midlands, which could be a good venue for an all-weather track. I am not saying that he is looking for that, but given the area it is something we need to consider. Days are lost and there are issues of welfare around heavy ground that could be addressed by an all-weather track, especially given the location of Kilbeggan.

In the round, the challenges that have been faced have been met by the greyhound and horseracing industries. It is important that we support that and recognise their economic importance to our country, the creation of jobs and the benefit to the national psyche.