Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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498. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to the Chief Executive Officer of Horse Racing Ireland recently; if so, the issues discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16615/20]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

My predecessor, together with Ministers of State Hackett and Heydon and officials from my Department met the CEO, the Chairperson of the Board and officials from HRI on Tuesday 14^thJuly 2020.

The items discussed included:

- HRI’s Strategic Plan 2020 to 2024;

- the impact of Covid 19 on the Industry, and on the Racecourses in particular;

- the operation of the Tote;

- the scope for biodiversity measures at the Racecourses;

- and anticipated impacts of Brexit on the Industry.

It is my intention to meet with all the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department in the near future.