Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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720. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appointments he directly makes to the board of Bord na gCon; if in the course of making such appointments he takes appropriate steps to ensure that they are familiar with or part of the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11915/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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From the 1st November 2014 all appointments are made through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Public Appointments Service advertise the positions based on job descriptions which address the need for specific skills on the board. Candidates are shortlisted by PAS based on an assessment of suitability for the post advertised, with the final decision on appointment made by the relevant Minister.

Recent appointments to the board of Bord na gCon have included individuals with veterinary, legal and financial experience as well as experience in the greyhound sector. My view is that boards are best served by a mix of appropriate skills and expertise.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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721. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact the closure of Harold's Cross Greyhound Stadium is having across the wider greyhound industry; if he has sought to meet the board of the Irish Greyhound Board, IGB, to clarify the rationale for their decision; the reason a stadium which whilst showing an operating loss of just €53,000 is in fact extremely profitable when the track's tote return of €330,000 is included, was actually closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11916/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon has statutory responsibility for the development of the greyhound racing industry. In that context, it runs commercial operations in a number of greyhound stadia, including Harold's Cross.

In 2014, against the background of reducing income for the organisation through the recession and a significant debt burden, my department commissioned an independent report into certain matters relating to Bord na gCon, including its financial performance and prospects. That report provided a road map for the sustainable development of the greyhound sector, and in that context recommended a number of asset disposals, including Harold's Cross, in order to reduce the debt burden.

Bord na gCon has informed my Department that having considered the matter, and having regard to the recommendations in the Indecon Report, it has decided to cease racing at Harold's Cross and initiate the sale of the Stadium in order to reduce its debt levels and increase its capacity to provide support and assistance to the industry.

Greyhound racing has been part of the Dublin landscape for many years and Bord na gCon inform me that it is their intention that this continues to be the case and that it is further developed.

Shelbourne Park has been operating 3 nights per week, which is limited use for a property in this location and with the facilities on offer. There is sufficient capacity in Shelbourne Park to accommodate the Harold’s Cross racing schedule there. One cannot lose sight of the fact that Shelbourne Park is located only 2.2 miles from the Harold’s Cross site.

While the closure of Harold's Cross Stadium is very regrettable, its view is that there is no other option if the burden of debt on the organisation is to be reduced in any meaningful way.