Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for facilitating this debate. Ensuring that the horse and greyhound racing industries achieve their maximum potential, and in so doing, contribute to economic and social development over a wide geographic distribution of our country, is an important aspect of Government policy. The valuable contribution to a balanced regional economy made by both the horse and greyhound industries is well-recognised. It is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.46 billion, with direct and indirect employment of 30,000 people, and the greyhound sector benefits an estimated 10,000 people economically as well. Government funding, in addition to supporting these key industries, presents an excellent opportunity to yield a high return for its investment, leading to a flow of income through many levels of the economy, thereby providing widespread benefits for our society. The sectors are also crucial in driving a geographically balanced economy throughout our country. The importance of these industries has been acknowledged by successive Governments and they are supported through legislation and policy initiatives. The world-class reputation for excellence in horse racing, greyhound racing and breeding that Ireland enjoys has been enabled by the support provided through Government public funds.

The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. Payments are made from the fund to Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, and Rásaíocht Con Éireann, RCÉ. In the period from 2001 to date, a total of €1.64 billion has been paid from the fund to the horse and greyhound racing industries in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The cumulative upper limit on payments from the fund, provided for under the relevant regulations, has been reached. Exchequer support provided from the fund is crucial to the survival and continued development of the horse and greyhound racing industries. In order to give effect to the provisions of budget 2024, this cumulative upper limit must be increased by regulation. The Estimates for my Department, passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas as part of budget 2024, include an allocation of €95 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This will be distributed in accordance with section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to HRI and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann. In order to allow my Department to provide the moneys allocated in budget 2024, it is necessary to comply with the technical requirement under section 12(13) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, to increase the cumulative limit on the amount payable from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund by €95 million, bringing it to €1.735 billion. This is achieved by way of the regulations submitted to this House today. The aggregate limit on the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund has been increased in this manner in 2004 and in the years 2009 to 2022, inclusive.

On the horse racing industry, according to the Deloitte 2023 report, it is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact amounting to €2.46 billion and supports direct and indirect jobs of some 30,000 people. The total value of Irish-foaled exports sold at public auction last year amounted to over €293 million. Horse racing generates a significant return to the rural economy in Ireland and a positive international profile for our country. Behind all the facts and figures are the thousands of people who, directly and indirectly, make the Irish racing and breeding industry what it is. Statistics released by Horse Racing Ireland for horse racing and breeding in Ireland for the first six months of this year point to a continued resilience in the industry. Many figures compare favourably with the first six months of 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic. As proven this year to date, Irish owners, trainers, jockeys and horses are setting standards globally, and their exceptional achievements and enduring influence underscore Ireland’s international prominence in this sector. The Irish equine breeding and racing industry is extremely competitive globally, despite other major racing nations having much larger populations and economies. The incredible passion and commitment to excellence displayed by everyone in the sector, from yard staff to jockeys and owners, allows us to consistently punch above our weight.

The importance of a strong welfare and integrity foundation to this highly successful industry is crucial and this is well-recognised throughout the industry. We continue to work with HRI, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, IHRB, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the highest standards of integrity and welfare are maintained. In that regard, in November 2021, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine published a report on horse racing in Ireland. At the Committee’s request, an international equine anti-doping expert, Dr. Craig Suann, was commissioned to conduct an independent review of the IHRB’s anti-doping programme. That review concluded that our programme does: “at least match international best practice in most respects and has made significant advances in recent years”.

The EU-UK Brexit agreement reached in December 2020, which included the Northern Ireland protocol, and the more recent Windsor Framework, were welcome. However, the facility to move horses freely, without veterinary certification, between Ireland and Britain, under an agreement known as the tripartite agreement, unfortunately no longer applies as a result of Brexit. This has added cost and a significant administrative burden to such movements.

On the greyhound industry, as highlighted in the 2021 Power report, the industry, both directly and indirectly, supports over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.

The funding from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund to Rásaíocht Con Éireann is important for this sector. There is a particular focus within that funding on the welfare and well-being of animals and on the integrity of the industry. It is a condition of the funding that this continues to be a focus.