Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024

Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Questions (977, 978)

Holly Cairns

Question:

977. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland still has no strategic plan in place almost 15 months after the last one expired, almost a year after it was quoted in a national newspaper claiming that such a strategic plan was in the process of being finalised by consultants (details supplied), and five months after he said a draft strategic plan had been submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14324/24]

Holly Cairns

Question:

978. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland is only now in March 2024 seeking submissions from stakeholders to help it in the process of drafting its strategic plan, almost 15 months after the last strategic plan expired, almost a year after it was quoted in a national newspaper claiming that such a strategic plan was in the process of being finalised by consultants (details supplied), and five months after he said a draft strategic plan had been submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14325/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 977 and 978 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 preparation and adoption of a strategic plan is the responsibility of the RCÉ Board and this will be a statutory matter for the board to fully consider. Following the appointment of the new CEO at the end of 2023, my Department has been engaging with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as they finalise their strategic plan. RCÉ has informed my Department that the stakeholder consultation process has recently concluded and a finalised strategic plan is expected in the coming months.

Question No. 978 answered with Question No. 977.