Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
388. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the €100,000 spent on the modifications to the racing circuit at Limerick Greyhound Stadium, as described in the Comptroller and Auditor General's special report, has been a success; if the statistics on racing collisions since the renovations will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28771/15]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. The question of works on tracks is a matter for Bord na gCon.
Bord na gCon has informed me that tracks are regularly upgraded and improved to enhance the standard and spectacle of racing. These are operational matters for Bord na gCon.
In this instance I understand that the work on the Limerick track arose from a positive consultation process with trainers and owners concerning an issue with the first bend for middle and wide runners, i.e. greyhounds that are in traps 3 and 4, and 5 and 6, respectively. This work involved increasing the width of the bend and modification of the hare rail so that the lure would run straight for longer, thus providing a more gradual sweep on the bend. I will ask Bord na gCon to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy.
