Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine with Minister McConalogue for separate discussions on Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council, and Horse and Greyhound Fund

The meeting with the Minister Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Committee in Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

5.30pm-7.30pm – Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council engagement;

7.30pm-8.30pm – Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2024.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The Committee welcomes this important engagement with Minister McConalogue ahead of his attendance at the meeting with his European counterparts. Members are particularly interested in discussing the proposed quotas that will be available to Ireland’s fishing communities in 2025.

“In our second session, the Committee will discuss the Budget 2025 allocation of €99.1 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, with 80 per cent going to Horse Racing Ireland (€79.3m) and 20 per cent to Greyhound Racing Ireland (€19.8m). The horse and greyhound racing industries provide jobs, generate revenue and play an important role in Irish sport at home and abroad.

“The Committee looks forward to engaging with the Minister on how this exchequer funding will contribute to the continued survival and development of these sectors, which combined have an economic impact of nearly €2.5 billion and benefit 40,000 people through direct and indirect employment.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 13 Members, nine from the Dáil and four from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.