Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
430. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 4 June 2014, if he will confirm that the review of certain matters of Bord na gCon does incorporate the viability of existing greyhound tracks within its terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27187/14]
View answerFollowing on the completion of an open public tender competition commissioned by my colleague the Minister of State, Mr Tom Hayes, TD, independent consultants were appointed to undertake a review of certain matters relating to Bord na gCon. The terms of reference for this review were as follows:
The successful Tenderer, building on the Dalton Report and having regard to the measures taken to date to implement the recommendations contained in the Dalton Report, was required to conduct a review and will:
- assess the appropriateness of the existing legislation in the current operating environment, particularly with regard to the governance of Bord na gCon, and make recommendations as to any changes required.
- evaluate whether the current structure and size of the board and management structure of Bord na gCon is best designed to ensure that the organisation operates efficiently and effectively, in order to maximize the potential of the industry and make recommendations as to any changes required.
- against the background of the current financial environment, identify opportunities to increase the commercial income of Bord na gCon assessing levels of debt sustainability and outline the actions required in this regard, including through the development of the breeding sector, having regard to the Bord na gCon Strategic Plan 2013 to 2017.
- assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the systems operated by Bord na gCon with regard to the regulation of the industry and greyhound welfare and make recommendations as to any changes required.
Furthermore the successful Tenderer will, in their report, identify measures which can be taken by Bord na gCon aimed at delivering an adequate supply of racing greyhounds for the industry.
The Department facilitated a stakeholder consultation process as part of the review by seeking and collecting submissions from interested parties. Submissions received were provided to the successful Tenderer for consideration and assessment in the context of carrying out the review and compiling the report. It is the task of the successful Tenderer to decide on the scope and level of analysis that it considers necessary in order to deliver on the terms of reference for the review. The successful Tenderer will produce a report detailing the outcome of its review and including the findings, conclusions and recommendations.
