asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the executives of certain race meetings in the Twenty-Six Counties have refused or neglected to fly the national flag and if he will undertake to have steps taken to withhold from such executives the grant made by the racing board towards the stake money at meetings held by such executives.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Flag at Race Meetings.
I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. Although the second part of the question does not, therefore, arise, I might add that the racing board is a statutory body with powers to apply its funds in accordance with Section 16 of the Racing Board and Racecourses Act, 1945. The board is not subject in any way to the control of the Minister for Finance in the matter of grants towards the increase of stake money at meetings held at authorised racecourses.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that, even if I provide the Minister with information which I can provide him with showing that the statement in the first part of the question is correct, the Minister's attitude still is that he is not prepared to do anything?
Under the Act, I cannot do anything.