Bord na gCon

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

Ceisteanna (304)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

304. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the fault in the first bend at the new €23 million Limerick Greyhound Stadium; that Irish Greyhound Board spent €100,000 in 2014 reconstructing this; if a cost benefit analysis was undertaken prior to this spend; if the problem was a design or build fault; if the problem has now been solved; if the €100,000 spend was compliant with Government procurement guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25790/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. The question of works on tracks is a matter for Bord nag Con. Bord na gCon has informed me that tracks are regularly upgraded and improved to enhance the standard and spectacle of racing. 

In this instance I understand that the work on the Limerick track arose from a positive consultation process with trainers and owners concerning an issue with the first bend for middle and wide runners, i.e., greyhound that are in traps 3 and 4, and 5 and 6, respectively. This work involved increasing the width of the bend and modification of the hare rail so that the lure would run straight for longer, thus providing a more gradual sweep on the bend. It has been completed.

I understand from Bord na gCon that expenditure carried out in this regard was in compliance with Government Procurement Guidelines.