asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (1) if he will give details of the names and qualifications of the members of Bord na gCon; the date and terms of appointment; (2) how many meetings of Bord na gCon are held; the date of the last meeting; (3) the amount of money borrowed by Bord na gCon to purchase Harold's Cross Park, Dublin; the source from which such money was borrowed; and the terms of the loan.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na gCon.
32.
The names of the members of Bord na gCon are as follows:— Desmond Hanrahan (Chairman), Patrick J. Cox, Cornelius Murphy, Captain John Ross, Desmond Duffy, John Moriarty, Patrick J. Leyden.
All members have an interest in, and an extensive knowledge of, the greyhound industry. In accordance with the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, three of these—Mr. Cox, Mr. Murphy and Captain Ross—are also members of the executive committee of the Irish Coursing Club.
Mr. Hanrahan was appointed chairman on 1st October, 1965. The ordinary members were appointed on 10th July, 1968, with the exception of Mr. Leyden who was appointed on 18th August, 1969 to replace the late Mr. Thomas Fitzgibbon. The statutory period of office for the ordinary members is five years.
Under the Act, the board are required to hold such or so many meetings as may be necessary for the due fulfilment of their functions. I have no function in regard to the frequency or dates of meetings.
It is a matter for the board to decide how the money should be provided for the purchase of Harold's Cross greyhound track but no State funds have been sought for this purpose.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that there is grave dissatisfaction among greyhound owners over the fact that a member of the board is also an agent for buying greyhounds and will he take immediate steps to remedy the situation?
I would not agree at all.
The Parliamentary Secretary would not agree?
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that you have to be a member of a certain political party before your greyhound is bought? That is very wrong.
(Interruptions.)
Which party is that?