asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has had a meeting with the new board of Bord na gCon; and the subjects discussed at that meeting.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na gCon.
17.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food met the members of the board on 2 November 1988. The meeting was an informal one which was arranged as a courtesy to the new members who had recently been appointed.
Among the topics discussed at the meeting were the position of the greyhound industry, the feasibility of obtaining State or EC aid and a review of the existing legislation governing the industry.
I thank the Minister of State for that reply. I suppose it is not necessary to declare an interest in this question — I assume there is no conflict — but just in case——
Let them out of the traps.
——a very minor interest at this stage, age overcoming the beast. Could the Minister of State inform the House what views were advanced by the board in relation to the condition of the industry? Is he aware of the fact that there are many owners and trainers who would contend that at present there is need for much investment, both on the tracks and in the industry generally for its revitalisation?
The main concern expressed by members was the falling level of attendances which has declined by approximately half since 1979. It was considered important for the board, as a source of revenue, to ensure increased attendances and betting on the tracks as well. A certain number of suggestions were proposed for the improvement of the facilities and the industry generally. In addition, the board's plans for computerisation of the tracks and their headquarters to improve administration generally formed the general import of the meeting.
Apart from computerisation and the obvious need for improvement of facilities, in particular at Shelbourne Park where they appear to be operating under Dickensian conditions at present, what other proposals were advanced? Will the Minister of State and the Government, or the Minister for Agriculture and Food be submitting any concrete proposals within the next 12 months?
This was an informal meeting at which initial proposals were put forward by the new board. I should say that they are working on comprehensive proposals at present to ensure that the declining numbers attending meetings is halted, thereby creating a better image and ensuring better facilities for the industry generally.
Given the controversy surrounding the appointment of the chairman in relation to a conflict of interest at the time, is the Minister now satisfied that there is no conflict of interest appertaining to any member of the board?
I can assure the Deputy that the chairman is totally eligible for membership and indeed chairmanship of the board and that no conflict of interest whatsoever arises.
The Minister, when replying, gave a startling statistic, which was to the effect that attendances had halved since 1979 whereas I had been led to believe that the attendance drop had been arrested in recent years. Is that true or false? Can the Minister give the House a run-down on how attendances have varied?
I have not the precise information the Deputy is seeking but I will ascertain it for him on an annual basis. I have the figures for attendances for the year 1988 which show that 562,000 people attended race meetings. However, since, 1979 there has been a decline to half that number.
What I am seeking is the trend. I thought the downward trend had been arrested.
I will let the Deputy have the figures for the trend.