Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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25. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in its reply to the Indecon report published earlier this year, Bord na gCon outlined a schedule for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report; if he will shed light on progress made in the implementation of recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48394/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Bord na gCon submitted their response to the Indecon report on 10 October 2014.

That response included a programme of action and a timeline for implementation of the recommendations in the report. The action plan is published in the "news" section on the Bord na gCon website. Bord na gCon has indicated to my Department that it is on track to meet the vast majority of its objectives for Quarter four of 2014.

The Indecon Report made a range of recommendations in relation to governance, finance, regulation and welfare. Action is simultaneously being progressed across all of these headings.

In the area of Governance, Bord na gCon has informed me that:

- it has implemented a risk management policy which has been communicated to all staff and has produced a risk register which is subject to review on a quarterly basis by the Audit Committee and the Board. In addition all high level risks are reviewed at every Board meeting.

- It has introduced an enhanced reporting and operational arrangements for internal audits and as part of its commitment to ensuring adequate internal resources, Bord na gCon is on track to launch a staff opinion survey to assess the views of all staff. This will be followed by an organisational review in quarter one 2015.

In regard to the recommendations dealing with financial aspects, Bord na gCon has outlined the following:

- it has commenced a plan for asset disposal

- it has calibrated the number of race meetings at poorly performingstadiaor on poorly performing race night which is to be reflected in its financial planning for 2015

- it is continuing itspriority focus on co-mingling and fixed odds wagering opportunitieswith particular emphasis of finalising technology solutions to support new markets

- Work is ongoing for the further exploration of commercial income at stadia

- As part of its budget for 2015, BNG has committed resources to a strategic marketing focus to boost attendance.

- Plans are being drawn up to resolve the pension underfunding and will be incorporated into the financial planning for 2015

In the area of regulatory reform, Bord na gCon has:

- Confirmed to me that it is currently involved in a public consultation process with stakeholders with a view to putting in place legislation which will enable the publication of details of all adverse findings after positive results have been returned by the laboratory and prior to consideration of such cases by the Control Committee. It is envisaged that the information to be published will include the identity of the greyhounds involved and the owners and trainers.

- Has recently, in a move towards greater transparency, confirmed a finding of positive results after the analytical phase and prior to the hearing at the Control Committee.  The complete details in relation to the owners and the greyhounds will be available when the Control Committee, and the Appeals Committee if appropriate, has concluded its deliberations in relation to findings which are upheld.

- Embarked on a stakeholder consultation process on regulatory reform;

- Commenced a review of Standard Operating Procedures in the areas of sampling at race night operations and also in regard to track maintenance and racetrack security.

- Begun formulating new policies and procedures to enhance regulation, welfare and engagement with stakeholders.

- Launched a review into anti-Doping and medication control under the direction of an international expert in this area. Following the Review, Bord na gCon will consider amendments to legislation, modify practices and policies as appropriate, assess whether any improvements can be made to the current structures that are in place. The objective is to ensure that Bord na gCon will conform with the best international practices.

- Launched the first phase of off-track testing for prohibited substances by testing at trials

- Launched an online resource centre to facilitate the enhanced publication of testing information Commenced interviews with licence applicants with a view to attaching conditions to licences where necessary

- Commenced a process of information sharing with other regulatory bodies

- Commenced development of intelligence-led strategies in various areas, in particular Anti-Doping.

- Commenced a process to introduce mandatory penalties, including exclusion orders and disqualification orders, for breaches of regulations.

- Commenced regulatory reform concerning prohibited substances, and in particular is working on developing an improved regulatory definition of prohibited substance as well as a non-exhaustive list of prohibited substances.

- Commenced a process to introduce the principle of strict liability into anti-doping regulations in order to enforce a policy of zero tolerance on the use of prohibited substances.

In the area of welfare Bord na gCon has:

- Commenced the process of strengthening the sanctions for animal cruelty through the use of welfare notices

- Launched an on-line resource centre for future publication of welfare information

- Commenced a process to introduce into IGB regulations a duty to keep records of all medication administered to a greyhound.

The greyhound sector makes a significant contribution to the Irish economy and I am confident that implementation of the Indecon Report can help to ensure that Bord na gCon can continue to make a significant contribution to its development into the future.