Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2101. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the responsibilities of his Department in relation to the regulation of the greyhound racing industry given the fact that greyhounds are recognised in legislation as agricultural animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40856/22]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control and regulate greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Governance of this State body falls under the remit of the Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is underpinned by legislation and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016. Governance include regular liaison between officials of this Department and RCÉ.
This Department provides dedicated financial support under the Horse and Greyhound Fund (the Fund) to RCÉ with 10% of the RCÉ allocation from the Fund ringfenced for welfare measures, including integrity. In addition, the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 develops the legislative basis for the industry, strengthening the integrity and welfare of the industry.
