Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators Lombard and Sherlock for their contributions. The point I will make is that both of these are industries with significant employment and this fund is very important to both those industries in underpinning them. Other countries which are in the lead like we are, in particular as regards the horse racing industry, are also underpinned by national funding. In terms of maintaining those 30,000 jobs and maintaining the really important horse racing industry and our place within the global sphere in that regard, it is important that we continue to work together with the sector to make sure that it is world-leading. I acknowledge the support we have received from the Dáil and on Committee Stage as regards the fund. It is to be hoped it can pass at the Seanad today as well. Both funds are absolutely contingent on the highest of welfare standards in terms of the treatment of animals. I think it is fair to say that that is taken very seriously by all involved in the industry. It is really important that HRI and RCÉ continue their important work on the oversight and enforcement of that as well.