Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023

Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Questions (476, 477)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

476. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 12,483 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between January 1st 2021 and December 31st 2021 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only, taking onboard that under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, the Irish Coursing Club is obliged to furnish this information to Rásaíocht Con Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42270/23]

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

477. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 11,698 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between January 1st 2022 and December 31st 2022 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only, taking on board that under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, the Irish Coursing Club is obliged to furnish this information to Rasaíocht Con Eireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control 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.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.