Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding regulations for artificial insemination and the Irish Coursing Club; that this is an acceptable course of action; the course of action he will take following this; if he will make arrangements for the prize money to be paid to the owners of the highest placed compliant greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27351/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is responsible for the identification and registration of greyhounds in the Irish Greyhound Studbook. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BNG) under Section 26(2) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 (the Act). BNG is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing. Detailed rules governing the practice of the artificial insemination of greyhounds were set down in the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005, (S.I. No. 561 of 2005), which were made by BNG under Section 39 of the Act.

The Regulations included a two year limit on the use of semen for artificial insemination following the death of a stud dog, thereafter any unused semen had to be destroyed.

As I have already outlined to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question 25645 for answer on Thursday 25th June 2015, as a result of the operational difficulties in the implementation of certain provisions of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations, 2005, Bord na gCon invited industry stakeholders in March 2014 to submit proposals regarding the suitability of the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations 2005 in the context of meeting current industry requirements.

After a detailed consideration of submissions received, Bord na gCon decided in September 2014, having consulted with the ICC, to remove the two year limit on the use of semen following the death of a stud greyhound. Arising from this decision, and with the consent of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, new regulations were introduced by Bord na gCon which came into effect on November 1 st 2014 removing this two year limit on semen from an expired sire.

I am informed by Bord na gCon that in conjunction with the Irish Coursing Club they have carried out preliminary research and discussions with various experts in the areas of Quantitative Genetics, Animal & Bioscience Research and Canine Genetics on the specific aspects such as pedigree analysis of inbreeding levels and rate of accumulation of inbreeding in the Irish Greyhound; developing a breeding program to ensure long term gains while simultaneously managing genetic diversity; the impact on the age of semen or age of semen donor on gene mutation rate. Following on from this, I understand that Bord na gCon have commissioned a scientific study dealing with topics outlined above with a view to assisting the Board in relation to policy development in this area.