Vol. 517 No. 3
25 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress, if any, made on the proposal to merge the Irish Horse Racing Authority and the Turf Club; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9694/00]
Proposals were made late last year to the horse racing industry by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to the effect that he would be prepared to examine the existing financial provisions to support racing in the event of the industry agreeing to establish a new single governing structure that would achieve desirable rationalisation, efficiencies and other potential improvements in the overall operation of Irish racing as a whole.
The Minister for Finance and myself are strongly committed to progressing the matter in the context of our wish to provide a long-term sound and secure funding base for the ongoing development of Irish racing. Talks have taken place between the IHA and all the relevant industry bodies, including the Turf Club, the racecourses, the on-course bookmakers, the trainers, owners, breeders, etc, and while progress has been made, I am hopeful that firm proposals will emerge in the near future. As of now discussions on the subject are still ongoing within the various organisations and the IHA.
