Written answers

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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167. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recommendations made in last year's Indecon Bord na gCon report that have been fully implemented to date; the measures being taken to implement all the recommendations of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12809/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon submitted an action plan in October 2014 with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendations in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. This action plan is published on the Bord na gCon website. Bord na gCon has assured my Department that it has assiduously followed up on these undertakings and my Department is in ongoing consultation with them on the implementation of certain recommendations which requires legislative changes. Bord na gCon has informed me that, with regards to Governance, a Risk Facilitator has been appointed and a risk register has been developed which is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Enhanced procedures have been introduced with regard to internal auditing and a staff survey has been conducted to review internal resources.

With regard to the financial aspects, a plan for asset disposalhas been drawn up, due diligence has been carried out on all non-core assets and the number of race nights or race meetings at poorly performing stadia has been reduced. Bord na gCon is focusing on co-mingling and fixed odds wagering opportunities, having developed the required information technology. Work is ongoing to increase commercial income at stadia and a budget has been committed to marketing with a view to boosting attendances. Plans are being drawn up to resolve the pension underfunding and have been incorporated into the financial planning for 2015.

With regard regulatory reform,Bord na gCon has finalised a public consultation process with stakeholders with a view to publishing details of all adverse findings after positive results have been returned by the laboratory and prior to consideration by the Control Committee. A review of procedures for regulatory control has commenced and standard operating procedures dealing with sampling for prohibited substances, laboratory aspects, track maintenance, racetrack security, and enforcement of penalties are under development. An international expert has been engaged to conduct a review into anti-doping and medication control which may lead to establishing an advisory scientific group, amending legislation and modifying practices and policies as appropriate.

Testing for prohibited substances has commenced at trials and testing on a risk basis is being developed. Bord na gCon has commenced a process to introduce mandatory penalties, including exclusion orders and disqualification orders, for breaches of regulations.

With regard to welfare Bord na gCon has commenced the process of strengthening the sanctions for animal cruelty and has launched its first prosecution under the legislation for failure to comply with a welfare notice. An on-line resource centre has been launched for inter alia the future publication of welfare information and notices as appropriate. A process has been commenced whereby Bord na gCon regulations will require that records are kept of all medication administered to greyhounds. I have asked Bord na gCon to keep me updated with regard to the implementation of the recommendations in the Indecon report with a view to ensuring that the greyhound industry can reach its full potential and prosper into the future.

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