I move amendment No. 1:—
In page 3, Section 2, lines 35 and 36, to delete the words "either or both of the Governing Bodies" and substitute therefor the words "a Governing Body".
This amendment arises out of a discussion during the Committee Stage regarding the definition given to the expression "a governing body". It will be observed that on page 4 "governing body" means any body being (a) the Irish Turf Club or (b) the National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. Strange as it may appear when we come to deal with other aspects of the measure in which specific definitions are given, we find that instead of using the title "governing body" which has been defined to mean either one of two bodies, the expression defined on page 3 is "governing bodies". In relation to racecourses the expression "authorised racecourse" means a racecourse at which race meetings are held with the sanction of either or both of the governing bodies. That appears to me to be completely inconsistent with the subsequent provision dealing with the definition of "a governing body". The matter arises again, as I pointed out yesterday, in a later section. There are two courses before the Minister, either to continue to use the expression "governing body" to which he has given a meaning or not to define it at all. The only two occasions on which, as far as I can remember, the expression is used, is in the definition section and another section. That it should be used in that manner surprises me. I think it is wrong. I suggest to the Minister that the definition is wrong and that the one I am suggesting here is reasonable. I am suggesting that the definition should be read like this: "The expression authorised racecourse means a racecourse at which race meetings are held with the sanction of the governing body". As a matter of fact the present phrasing seems to me, apart from every other objection, to be meaningless. What is meant by "either or both of the governing bodies"? What is implied is that in order that a racecourse may be authorised, the sanction of the governing body that controls the events over that course is wanted. I believe that if the Minister reads the section as I propose to amend it he will agree that it is less obscure than the phrasing of the Bill and gives him the definition that he requires.