asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will initiate legislation to amend the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, to provide for compulsory dope-testing of racing greyhounds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dope-testing of Greyhounds.
8.
The necessity for the initiation of such legislation does not arise. The stewards of meetings are already empowered by regulations made under the Greyhound Industry Act to order the taking of samples for analysis.
I did not hear the first part of the answer.
If Deputies on those benches kept quiet the answer would have been heard. I will read it again if the Ceann Comhairle wishes. The necessity for the initiation of such legislation does not arise. The stewards of meetings are already empowered by regulations made under the Greyhound Industry Act to order the taking of samples for analysis.
I would like to say——
A question please, Deputy.
Will the Minister ensure that samples are taken at all dog races? Dogs are doped. They get either a driver or a sleeper, that is, to drive the dog on or to stop him.
Could I dissuade the Deputy from making statements?
Bord na gCon attracted patrons to this sport. The patrons who are taking part in this betting craze are playing with loaded dice, so to speak, unless dope testing is introduced.
The Deputy is embarking upon a speech. This is not in order.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply——
If the Deputy persists in disobeying the Chair I shall have to ask him to resume his seat.
This is a most important question——
The Deputy will proceed by way of supplementary question, devoid of argument, statement or speech.
Will the Minister ensure that a dog doping test will be introduced at all race tracks throughout the country now that he is aware that dog doping does exist here?
We are aware also that horse doping exists——
And they are tested.
They are authorised. But every horse that races is not tested. Surely the Deputy is not insisting that every greyhound that goes round a track should be tested. It is only if something is suspected that the power exists. The stewards have the power to do this. The Deputy gave me the impression at least that he was not aware that the power exists. The power does exist. The Deputy cannot expect me to go in and run the track racing every night it takes place in the various centres throughout the country.
A final supplementary.
The Minister implies then that Bord na gCon are not doing their job because they are aware that dog doping does exist in this country. Will the Minister ensure that dog doping is examined to the same extent as the doping tests carried out on horses at racecourses?
I do not agree at all with the Deputy that Bord na gCon are not doing their job.
Further arising out of the Minister's reply——
Deputy Dowling, the Chair is on his feet—a final supplementary and a question please.
The Minister must accept my word in relation to dog doping. If the Minister is concerned about exports of greyhounds then he must ensure that the whole image of the industry is improved, and the industry can be improved by imposing a dope test. Will the Minister ensure that there is a trial period undertaken at some of the tracks to ensure that the fears of many people are alleviated because dogs have raced at a particular track——
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude.
——and have never raced again.
Has the Deputy any proof?
Of course I have proof. The Parliamentary Secretary knows it and so does Bord na gCon.
Question No. 9 please.
Will the Minister give an undertaking that he will use his influence to ensure that at, say, the Dublin tracks a trial period will be undertaken for doping tests?
It might help the Deputy if I tell him that section 44 of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 provides that an authorised officer present at any race meeting at a greyhound racetrack may investigate any occurrence observed by him or brought to his notice in relation, inter alia, to the performance, including the behaviour of any greyhound at the meeting. For the purposes of an investigation under the section he may give directions and acquire such facilities for the examination of greyhounds and their detention under specified control for any purpose. The authority is there.
Next question.
The Minister——
Deputy Dowling, I have called the next question.
As the Minister has——
The Deputy will obey the Chair. The Deputy will resume his seat.
(Interruptions.)
I accuse the Minister of moral cowardice.
Nobody could ever accuse me of moral cowardice.