asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that owing to the arbitrary attitude of the I.N.H.S. in not allowing local point-to-point committees to increase their stake money it would be advisable to have the Racing Board include the point-to-point fixtures in allocating grants; and, if so, what action it is proposed to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Stake Money for Point-to-Point Races.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps, if necessary by the introduction of proposals for legislation, to authorise the Racing Board to place point-to-point fixtures in the same category as enclosed racing fixtures for the purpose of giving the organisers of point-to-point fixtures grants to increase stake money and thus enhance the value of these fixtures to the horse-breeding industry.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
The Racing Board is a statutory body set up in accordance with the provisions of the Racing Board and Racecourses Act, 1945, and the Minister for Finance has no function with regard to the matters mentioned in the Deputy's questions.