Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 560: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the guidelines in place to ensure that organisations in receipt of funding through his Department or its agencies that work with animals are monitored regarding the conditions and welfare of the animals; if this is currently part of or will be included in future assessments regarding funding provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9888/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that animal health and welfare is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Agriculture and Food. Equestrian sports funded by the Irish Sports Council are subject to these animal health and welfare requirements and to the rules and regulations of the national and international federations responsible for the various disciplines involved. Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon are the statutory bodies responsible for the horse and greyhound racing industries respectively. I have been assured by both bodies that there is appropriate veterinary support at all race meetings.

While the Irish Coursing Club, which is the controlling authority for the breeding and coursing of greyhounds, subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, does not receive funding from my Department or Bord na gCon for coursing, my Department oversees a Monitoring Committee on coursing. This committee comprises of a veterinary inspector, representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service now part of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Irish Coursing Club. The veterinary inspector attends 20% of all coursing meetings on behalf of the Department. Wildlife Rangers from the National Parks and Wildlife Services attend approximately 50% of coursing meetings. The Monitoring Committee meets annually — usually in advance of the start of the coursing season and considers any issues arising from the previous season.