Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he or his Department has had meetings with Horse Racing Ireland in regard to proposed developments at the Curragh racecourse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24458/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Racing Ireland was established as the statutory body with responsibility for the horseracing industry under the Horse and Greyhound Act 2001. The general functions of Horse Racing Ireland, as outlined in the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994, as amended by the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, include the development and promotion of the Irish horseracing industry including the development of authorised racecourses and the making of grants, loans and other disbursements to authorised racecourses.

As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, I meet regularly with the chairman and executives of Horse Racing Ireland while officials from my Department hold regular liaison meetings with Horse Racing Ireland throughout the year. All policy issues are discussed at these meetings, including Horse Racing Ireland's capital development programme, which includes the development of the Curragh racecourse. As outlined in the Horse Racing Ireland strategic plan for 2003 to 2007, one of the major priorities is the redevelopment of the Curragh racecourse. My Department has been informed by Horse Racing Ireland that it has had preliminary discussions with representatives of the Curragh racecourse regarding its development.