Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

968. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied); his views on whether the Greyhound Racing Bill 2018 currently before Dáil Éireann will deal with the regulatory issues therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12908/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Greyhound Industry Bill continues to pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas, with the legislation now at Committee Stage in the Dáil.

This legislative framework, when passed, will greatly strengthen the existing regulatory framework through the establishment in primary legislation of a statutorily independent sanctioning regime to conduct hearings into alleged breaches of the racing code.

The Bill specifically addresses doping, integrity and fair play through a comprehensive range of enabling provisions allowing Bord na gCon to make regulations to deal with doping control and the conduct of racing; these progressive measures should allay any public concerns that may exist on industry regulation.

In relation to the comments made in the article on betting, any patterns of irregular betting that are brought to the attention of Bord na gCon are investigated and if necessary, the results of any investigation are forwarded to An Garda Síochána.

The comments made by SIS reflect an historic view of greyhound racing. The fact that nine race meetings are now broadcast from Irish greyhound tracks, up from the initial four meeting in 2016, demonstrates that the quality and integrity of Irish greyhound racing is gaining wide acceptance in the UK and other jurisdictions.