Vol. 517 No. 2
15 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance if the comments made by him in an newspaper interview (details supplied) in which he suggested that finance for racing should be put on a permanent footing represents Government policy in regard to the prioritising of areas for public spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9344/00]
The Deputy will be aware that the comments I made in the interview he refers to were in the context of my proposals to the horseracing industry that I would be prepared to examine the existing financial provisions to support racing in the event of the industry agreeing to establish a new governing structure that would achieve desirable rationalisation, efficiencies and other potential improvements in the overall operation of Irish racing as a whole. My comments related to the possibility of revenue raised from the racing industry being ringfenced for use for funding of that industry. Therefore such funding would be sourced directly from the industry itself and would no longer be an issue when future decisions were being made in relation to prioritising public spending. Government policy in regard to the prioritising of areas for public spending will continue to be decided by the Government of the day in line with the requirements of the economy.
