Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon Administration

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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647. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any failures of drug tests were recorded in relation to a race (details supplied); the details of any recorded failures and follow up sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34962/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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This administration of greyhound races is an operational matter for Bord na gCon.

Under regulations in place for drug test results received during September 2015, adverse findings at races are referred to the Control Committee for consideration and if upheld, the results of those hearings are published. Results for the 2015 Irish Derby are dealt with under this legal framework, and any adverse findings upheld by the Control Committee will be published.

Under new regulations published by Bord na gCon, adverse findings at races from October 2015 onwards will be published prior to consideration by the Control Committee, and the outcome of Control Committee deliberations, whether positive or negative, will also be published. This brings additional transparency to the process.

I consider it to be of critical importance that there is as much transparency as possible around drug testing in greyhound racing and I intend to ensure that this principle is enshrined in the heads of a Greyhound Bill currently being prepared in my department.

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