Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the 2005 annual report of Horse Racing Ireland; his plans to support the industry in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34825/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The 2005 Annual Report of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) highlights the unprecedented success enjoyed by Ireland's horse racing industry in 2005, both at home and abroad. There was a record nine Irish trained winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March followed by eight Irish winners at Aintree in April, while at home, the Punchestown Festival was once again a major success. On the flat Aidan O'Brien won three English Classics. There were four Irish trained winners at the Royal Ascot meeting, including Azamour who went on to take the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Newbury in great style. Aidan O'Brien's Oratorio also won the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July.

Significant increases were recorded in all key areas of performance with attendances reaching an all time record of 1.43 million, record Tote turnover of almost €49.3 million and a record number of 2,241 races run, an increase of 45 over 2004. The Festival meetings at Galway, the Curragh, Listowel, Punchestown and Leopardstown all showed growth, with Galway recording an Irish all time daily attendance record of 52,600 on 28th July.

2005 saw many significant developments under HRI's Capital Development Fund for Irish Racecourses, which was launched in November 2004. The Fund will provide for up to €200 million capital development in Irish racecourses over a five-year period, with HRI providing €110 million and the balance to be provided by the racecourses. Galway Racecourse announced a €22 million development plan, which will involve the demolition of the existing West Stand and the construction of a new grandstand facility in time for the 2007 festival. HRI also approved the development of Ireland's first all-weather racetrack, to be built at Dundalk. HRI will provide over €10 million in grant aid for the project, which will be completed in 2007. This new track will be Ireland's first all-weather track, first floodlit track and the first combined horse and greyhound racing facility. Killarney racecourse was also approved for grant aid towards its €1.7 million re-development of the weigh room and other facilities. New facilities were also opened at Ballinrobe racecourse.

This Government's commitment to funding the Irish horse racing industry, through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, has enabled Horse Racing Ireland to undertake long-term planning, which will result in the transformation of Irish racecourses in the coming years and has generated significant revenue for the Irish economy. In 2004, the Government put in place regulations to increase the limit of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund from €254m to €550m and to continue the Fund for a further four years to 2008.