Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
105. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish Greyhound Board laboratory in County Limerick can test for oil-based stanozolol; his views on whether it is necessary that this capacity be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22842/15]
View answerBord na gCon is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of greyhound racing under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958. It has specific powers conferred on it by the Greyhound Industry (Racing) Regulations 2007, S.I. 302 of 2007, which set out the detailed rules under which greyhound racing is conducted.
Bord na gCon has confirmed to officials in my Department that its drug surveillance services test for the presence of stanozolol (both oil and water based) and that there have been no confirmed cases of stanozolol reported for Bord na gCon samples to date.
I understand that Bord na gCon is currently finalising a comprehensive review of all aspects relating to integrity, including its sampling and analysis procedures for prohibited substances and medication control.
Following the review, Bord na gCon will consider amendments to legislation to modify practices and policies as appropriate, and assess whether any improvements can be made to the current anti-doping and medication control structures that are in place.
