Vol. 565 No. 4
11 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the five-year plan produced by Horse Racing Ireland recently; if he supports the recommendations and objectives of this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11032/03]
Horse Racing Ireland was established on 18 December 2001 under the provisions of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to be the national authority for horse racing in Ireland and took over the functions of the Irish Horseracing Authority and certain administrative functions from the Turf Club.
I had the opportunity to launch Horse Racing Ireland's first strategic plan 2003-07 on 6 March 2003. I welcome the publication of the plan, which has as its principal focus the racecourse sector and the creation of a new business model on improved income streams, development funding, training and general management and marketing support. I expect the strategy will play a key role in the continuing development and promotion of Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horse racing and breeding.
In addition to the outstanding entertainment and enjoyment it provides for a large section of the Irish population, horse racing has a major impact on Ireland's economy and I will mention a few statistics which are not always properly recognised. Some 25,000 people, both full and part-time, are employed in the industry. The value of assets employed in the industry is €2.5 billion. Some 50,000 overseas visitors attend race meetings in Ireland every year. Total betting, off and on course, in 2002 was over €1.8 billion. In the context of managing such a large and complex sector, high-quality strategic planning is essential. In its strategy document, HRI has set out its vision on how Ireland's pre-eminent position in world racing can be maintained, employment sustained and a top-quality product available to the race-going public.
HRI is open to receiving comments and views on the strategy document from all areas of the horse racing sector and beyond. I look forward to such a debate, to responding to the areas of the strategy which will require Government approval, for example, regarding the capital development plan, and to working with Horse Racing Ireland in the further development of this important sector in the economic and social life of our country.
I welcome the report, the contents of which augurs well for the industry. One of the great aspects of the horse racing industry in Ireland is the number of festivals there are. Apart from the major festivals such as Galway, Punchestown, Tralee, Listowel and so on, there is now a tendency for the small tracks such a Laytown-Bettystown, Sligo and Gowran Park to have a festival aspect to a number of fixtures. That should be allowed to continue because tourists are attracted to these areas during the racing festi vals. Does the Minister think this is a major tourist attraction for these areas rather than in the overall context? Is he satisfied that Punchestown is now out of trouble? Given its potential and the fact that it can be developed as a world horse racing centre, which will probably match the Cheltenham festival, does he believe it will go from strength to strength?
I agree with Deputy Wall that it is important that festivals are encouraged. In that respect, Irish racing has a good record. I agree that the Punchestown facility is improving in leaps and bounds and beginning to challenge Cheltenham in terms of its importance. For some time, it has been the most important national hunt festival in the country. Together with Fairyhouse, it is extremely important in terms of holding major racing festivals in the near future. There are other major festivals to which Deputy Wall referred.
I am pleased the problems at Punchestown have been resolved. I would like to acknowledge the contributions made by all sides and the magnanimity with which everyone approached the problem with a view to resolving it, not just in the interests of Punchestown but in the interests of Kildare and the whole country. I sincerely hope that horse racing will continue to prosper at Punchestown and that it will be a centre of excellence for other horse-related activities.
I mentioned the cushy nature of the Minister's job when the tourists are pouring in. I suppose I should say the icing on the cake is the horse racing.
There were various rumblings under the surface at one stage in regard to personnel matters associated with Horse Racing Ireland. Is the Minister satisfied that all these issues are resolved and there is a unified effort to ensure horse racing develops fully in the years ahead, particularly over the next five years? Is he satisfied adequate funding is available to ensure development over the five years and, if not, has he any measures in mind to ensure such funding will be available? I suppose I should declare some interest in horse racing.
We are not suggesting the Minister should ride in the first race.
We would be heading for the flat. The race is over, but before the meeting ends, I would like to say that the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act has provided much-needed funding for both the horse and greyhound racing industries, which is proving to be a major success. The fact that the off-course levy is now available to the industry is a major boost.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
