Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will use my time to raise a number of concerns I have around the greyhound racing industry. The first one is the 80:20 split in funds. It does not make any sense whatsoever that there are two organisations, completely independent of each other, and one could send in the best business plan in the world while the other could scribble some notes on the back of one-pager and they would both receive the same funding because they are linked in an 80:20 split. I cannot understand how we can tolerate that use of public money. In both businesses plans, neither impacts on whether they get the money or not because they are both linked to each other fundamentally. I note that the industry itself stated it has no problem with the decoupling of the 80:20 split, so I do not understand where the resistance is coming from. Each industry - if they are as good as we hear they are from their proponents - should have no problem applying on the merit of their own business plan and not relying on this coupling of the 80:20 split.

Each year, I have raised the findings of the Preferred Results report from 2017, which clearly stated that the greyhound industry is no longer an industry whose primary purposes is racing but rather one that has a primary focus on breeding.

When should we expect to see the new five-year strategic plan that I believe KPMG is doing? We know the Preferred Results one was buried and a second report came out afterwards that was more favourable to the industry. I believe it is KPMG that is carrying out the new five-year strategic plan. When are we likely to see that? I think we were told it would be coming out in the coming months. It is now almost December and the last plan only covered 2018 to 2022.

In July 2022, the Irish Examiner reported that the greyhound racing industry was refusing to reveal the details of the performance of its sole remaining stadium in Dublin as regards attendance and gate receipts. In July of this year, the bailed-out Youghal greyhound track attracted an average of just three fans per meeting. Will the strategic plan be transparent about how successful these racetracks are? Will we get to see oversight of those figures? If they are getting such a large amount of money from the public, the public deserves to see the attendance figures for the racetracks.

Other news reports have also highlighted the number of complimentary tickets given out, which is a large part of attendance. It was interesting that both Horse Racing Ireland and Rásaíocht Con Éireann both sent invites to committee members a week ahead of the discussion at committee. One was to a black-tie event in the round room of the Mansion House, with drinks and food provided. The other one was to a winter gala with greyhound racing. I do not think that it is appropriate, to be honest, to be sending invites to all-expenses-paid events ahead of a discussion on a fund at a committee and ahead of a discussion on the approval of funding.

I hope that the report, when it comes out, will cover the issue of overbreeding. It is more of an acute problem now because we also have the issue of the tsunami of unwanted dogs that has a knock-on impact on the ability of the shelters across this country to take in both retired and failed racing greyhounds. They are inundated with people getting rid of dogs for one reason or other, whether it is the cost of living or the housing crisis. They have a waiting list. Last year, I raised the point that it was concerning that the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation was advising its members not to give dogs to welfare organisations that have an anti-racing status. That is very concerning. Surely, we should get the dogs rehomed and support whatever shelter is prepared, or has the capacity, to take them, given the capacity issues we have at the moment in dog rescues.

The final point I wish to raise is the issue of surgical artificial insemination. I would like the Minister to give a commitment today to this House that the introduction, if it is forthcoming, of the ban on surgical artificial insemination, which is banned in Britain for a number of years now, will include greyhounds. I wish to hear that commitment. The joint Oireachtas committee supports this position across parties. The committee listed it as one of its recommendations in its report on issues impacting dog welfare. The committee was told by a veterinarian that even in sterile conditions, surgical artificial insemination carries risks and is a highly invasive procedure. I would like to get a commitment that there will be no exclusion of greyhounds to surgical artificial insemination. Greyhounds are dogs and they feel the same pain as any other dog. They suffer the same risks when it comes to surgery and therefore deserve to be protected in the same manner.