Written answers

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Racing Industry

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason horse trotting racing, that is, harness racing behind closed doors is not being permitted to start at the same time as horse racing due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10199/20]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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On the 1stMay 2020, the Taoiseach set out a roadmap for easing the Covid-19 restrictions, which began on Monday 18thMay. The Government plans to reopen the economy and society in a slow and phased manner. The roadmap was updated on 5th June, and now sets out the four stages for unlocking restrictions.

When announcing the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the Government expressed a willingness to engage and consult with sectors on possible changes to the timings. A limited number of alterations to the plan have been made for specific sectors such as thoroughbred horse racing and greyhound racing based on detailed protocols put forward and agreed to by the relevant authorities.

I can confirm that Harness Racing is scheduled to recommence in Phase 3 of the Government's plan, on the 29th June 2020. This is in line with other sports that can operate "behind closed doors", where arrangements can be put in place to maintain social distancing. This decision has been taken bearing in mind at all times the pre-eminence of the protection of public health.

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