Vol. 429 No. 4
2 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he proposes to allocate funds to the Irish Equine Centre in 1993; if the proposals he has for a new racing authority will include provision for funding this centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The question of allocating funds to the Irish Equine Centre is a matter in the first instance for the Racing Board, which has responsibility for the development of the thoroughbred industry. These responsibilities will be taken over by the proposed new racing authority on its establishment.
Grants of £3 million for each of the years 1990 and 1991 and £3.3 million for the year 1992 were given to the Racing Board for the development of the industry. I understand that payments of £100,000 have been made by the board to the Irish Equine Centre for each of the years 1990-92, inclusive. A sum of £3.3 million is being made available to the Racing Board in 1993.
Would the Minister not agree that two very good reasons for ensuring some funding for this centre are, first, the importance of the work it carries out on the equine side and, second, the fact that it is now carrying out a great deal of the analysis on samples which are taken in cases where the use of angel dust is suspected? It would be very useful to have that facility continue in operation, particularly if, as we hope, we resolve the problem eventually. It would be better to have this work carried out on a private contract basis rather than continually setting up a State organisation to do it.
I agree with Deputy Dukes that there are a number of excellent reasons for supporting the Equine Centre, one of which is the location of the centre in his constituency. That is a good reason in itself.
It is the only place it could possibly be located, but even if it was not located there it would still be worth supporting.
The Deputy should not be too smart on this issue; there are other areas in contention also.
Do not be jealous.
Excellent work is being carried out in the centre under the supervision of Dr. Baggot. A senior official from my Department visited the centre during the past week to see if there could be a more permanent arrangement formulated for the funding of that centre, which is carrying out suberb work for the equine industry and many other innovative areas.
I thank the Minister for the compliment he has paid to my constituents. Will he undertake to continue his efforts to ensure that some permanent funding is made available to the centre in view of the value of the work it carries out?
I have no difficulty in giving a commitment in that regard. I am convinced that the work being carried out there is essential for a very valuable industry. I will be seeking in the negotiations on the establishment of the new racing authority to ensure that an adequate permanent provision will be made to support the Equine Centre.
