Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
278. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact there is no unannounced out-of-competition drug testing of horses and that at least three days' notice must be given before a horse can be tested. [20898/17]
View answerThe Turf Club (and INHSC) is the Regulatory Body for horseracing in Ireland and is responsible for the integrity of Irish racing.
The Turf Club has informed me that there is a rigorous out-of-competition testing regime consistent with international best practice in place in Ireland.
Under the Rule 20(xviii) of the Rules of Racing the Turf Club has power:
To make arrangements for any person appointed by them from time to time to enter without notice the Training Establishment of a Trainer or the establishment where a horse is stabled during the period specified under Rule 147(iii) whilst under the care of an Overseas Trainer for the purpose of:
- inspecting facilities and premises and any relevant documentation or records to determine whether the Rules of Racing, I.N.H.S. Rules, Regulations, Instructions and Orders issued under these Rules are being complied with and/or
- inspecting, examining or testing all Horses under the care of a Trainer or in a licensed Training Establishment whether or not returned in training, and whether or not such Horse has been entered for a race or has run in a race, which may include the taking of samples for subsequent analysis.
The Turf Club has informed me that the number of out-of-competition samples taken in recent years are as follows:
- 2016 - 231
- 2015 - 141
- 2014 - 151
- 2013 - 283
All these samples were taken at Trainer's yards during unannounced inspections.
