Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
310. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the systems in place within Greyhound Racing Ireland to ensure any individual with a court-ordered ban from owning, keeping or breeding dogs for a specified period of time will be disqualified from owning and racing greyhounds at Irish race meets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3451/24]
View answer311. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Greyhound Racing Ireland will consider imposing a lifetime ban on any member found guilty in the courts of cruelty to an animal, as an organisation (details supplied) does; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3452/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 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.
