asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the date on which racing ceased on the greyhound track in Galway; and when is it proposed to have the track reopened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Galway Greyhound Track.
11.
The greyhound track at Galway was closed to racing on 9th August, 1974. Racing was resumed there on 22nd October, 1974.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not consider it took a long time to solve a very small problem resulting in the track being closed for the high season, when the western greyhound owners could have sold their dogs on the strength of good races? Now it is open for the off-season. I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary knows that this is the off-season for greyhound racing.
Was it a Fianna Fáil chairman who closed it?
I know Galway greyhound track much better than the Deputy.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
I know the greyhound owners in the west. Does the Parliamentary Secretary not agree it was a long time to solve a dispute? As a result of this the greyhound owners in the west have lost a considerable amount of money. When I submitted the question the track was not open and I agree it is open now. It took a long time, since early August —the high peak season for selling greyhounds—to settle this dispute. Will the track remain open?
I am sure the Deputy would not wish me to comment on the Galway people. So far as this matter was concerned, the Galway people were difficult people to deal with. Fortunately, at the present time they have solved their difficulties. The track is now open and I think we had better leave it at that.