Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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182. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of any plans by the Irish Greyhound Board to close the track (details supplied) in Tralee in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26935/15]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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209. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department authorised the redaction of a section of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27508/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 209 together.

Bord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. The operation and or funding of race tracks is a day to day operational matter for it.

Indecon Economic consultants agreed to redact Table 2.6 as individual commentary on the financial performance of each venue would be commercially sensitive and not offer a fair commentary of the venues’ full activities.

Bord na gCon have informed me that a measure of track performance is being carried out based on a suite of activities to accommodate not only commercial performance but additional benefits to the wider industry to include sponsorship activities and promotion of greyhound ownership and related involvement. The first report on these combined track activities will be submitted to each venue after the completion of the mid-year financial report which is expected before the end of August 2015. This measure will be used to assess the level of funding required by each track.

The Indecon report which was published in July 2014 recommended that Bord na gCon actively engage in a programme of asset disposal in order to reduce debt levels. The report listed potential asset disposals that should be considered which include the site at Meelick near Limerick City, the old Henry Street head office Limerick, land in Cork and the Harold’s Cross track. The report further recommended that the timing of these asset sales should be made in a manner which maximises the value for Bord na gCon and should take account of planning/zoning issues and market developments.

Bord na gCon have assured me that they currently have no plans to close any further tracks.