Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

329. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the implementation of the 27 recommendations of the recent Indecon review of the Irish Greyhound Board; on the recommendations that have been implemented to date; when the outstanding recommendations will be implemented; the level of monitoring his Department is doing in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26221/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 updated my Department as follows with regard to implementation of the action plan.

- In relation 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, an internal audit tender is about to be launched 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 and due diligence has been carried out on all non-core assets. Bord na gCon has submitted proposals to my Department for the disposal of its former headquarters at 104 Henry Street in Limerick. The number of race nights or race meetings at poorly performingstadia has been reduced and there is ongoing monitoring of performance at all stadia. 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. Horse Sport Ireland has just concluded a very successful series of showjumping events in the Limerick, Cork and Shelbourne Park stadia. Proposals to resolve the pension underfunding have been submitted to my Department for consideration and the proposals have been incorporated into the financial planning for 2015.

- With regard to 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. There has been an extensive review of procedures for regulatory control with many new standard operating procedures either finalised or close to finalisation dealing with sampling for prohibited substances, laboratory aspects, track maintenance, racetrack security and enforcement of penalties. The work of an international expert in reviewing Bord na gCon’s policy in anti-doping and medication control is nearing conclusion. This may lead to the establishment of an advisory scientific group, amendments to legislation and a modification of practices and policies as appropriate. The regime for testing for prohibited substances is being strengthened, and testing has commenced at trials. In addition, I understand that more targeted testing on a risk basis has commenced. Bord na gCon has also initiated 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. It has taken its first successful prosecution under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 against an individual for failure to comply with a welfare notice issued by one of its welfare officers involving fines of €2,500 and costs of €1,500 being imposed at Nenagh District Court on 25 June 2015. An online resource centre has been launched for inter aliathe future publication of welfare information and notices as appropriate. Bord na gCon will shortly go to public consultation on regulations to require records be kept of all medication administered to greyhounds. It is proposed that failure to comply will be an offence under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.

My Department is in regular contact with Bord na gCon in relation to the implementation of the action plan. I commissioned the Indecon report in recognition of the need to review and reform aspects of greyhound sector and I view it as critically important that its recommendations are implemented, with a view to ensuring that the greyhound industry can reach its full potential and prosper into the future.