Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2024

Thursday, 16 May 2024

Ceisteanna (229)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

229. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the draft strategic plan submitted to his office in November 2023 by Rásaíocht Con Éireann (details supplied); when he expects this plan to be published; his views on whether it is reasonable to publicly fund a body that has failed to produce a strategic plan since its last one expired a year and a half ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22300/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The preparation and adoption of a strategic plan is the responsibility of the RCÉ Board and this will be a statutory matter for the board to fully consider. Following the appointment of the new CEO at the end of 2023, my Department has been engaging with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as they finalise their strategic plan. RCÉ has informed my Department that the stakeholder consultation process has now concluded and the finalised strategic plan is being reviewed by the Board. It is expected that the strategic plan will be forwarded to my Department in due course.