Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Irish Horseracing Authority.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

43 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reason the memorandum of understanding recently agreed with the Turf Club-INHSC does not provide for the representation of the race-going public on the board of Horseracing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28423/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The Irish Horseracing Authority, with its 16 person board, has done an excellent job since its establishment in 1994. It is nonetheless considered that a smaller board could operate its board business more efficiently and all the main industry interests agree that this would be desirable. The composition of the board of Horse Racing Ireland as set out in the memorandum of understanding agreed with the Turf Club-INHSC was arrived at after much consideration and wide consultation in the industry and reflects fair representation on the board for all the major sectors in the industry which depend on the industry for their livelihoods. Many other parties including the racegoers sought representation on the board. It was not possible, in the smaller board of 13 which was considered optimum, to accommodate all those parties.

In the case of the racegoers, the original proposals for the establishment of HRI launched by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, and I, in July last included specific provision for the setting up by HRI of a race-goers consultative forum. This aspect of the original proposals has not been changed and will stand. It envisaged that the forum will include representatives of racegoers clubs, racecourse supporters clubs and other organisations operating in the interests of racegoers. On that basis, I expect that the interests of racegoers will be given a wider and better overall representation in discussions on the matters which most affect them.