Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2019
425. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter regarding the advertisement of greyhound races (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48970/19]
View answerI was gravely concerned following the coverage and debate regarding alleged cruel practices within Ireland’s greyhound industry. One of the issues that arose as a result was the promotion of greyhound racing by our tourism agencies.
Consequently, while the process of investigating and addressing issues was underway in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I asked the tourism agencies to review their promotion of greyhound racing. I subsequently welcomed their decision to pause active promotion of greyhound racing and to keep the situation under review, pending implementation of several reforms.
Since then, my colleague Brendan Griffin T.D., Minister of State for Tourism and Sport at my Department, has received an update on Bord na gCon's additional and enhanced care and welfare measures, which he forwarded to both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Minister Griffin has made it clear that he has strong personal views on the industry, which do not coincide with my own. I have no problem with him letting those personal views be known to third parties.
