Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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491. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has taken measures to investigate the latest drugs scandal (details supplied) in the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22353/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 of 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted.

Bord na gCon has advised me that as part of its on-going communication with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), it has been briefed on recent test results from the sales event in Great Britain mentioned by the Deputy. I understand also from Bord na gCon that this matter is subject to the completion of an inquiry by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.

Bord na gCon has also informed me hat since this findings referred to above, Bord na gCon has tested extensively at a recent sales event in Ireland. This testing is in addition to random testing at trials together with an extensive testing regime on race nights. I am informed by Bord na gCon that this programme of both random and targeted testing will continue to ensure the highest level of integrity in Irish greyhound racing.