Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Ceisteanna (190)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

190. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the chairperson of the Irish Greyhound Board has referred to some greyhound owners who have campaigned for the removal of illegal drugs from the industry as stone throwers, his views on this characterisation; if his Department has ever discussed a strategy with the Irish Greyhound Board on the way to deal with compliant owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27349/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am not aware of any such statement by the Chairman of Bord na gCon. Regarding the strategy for regulatory controls mentioned by the Deputy; this matter was dealt with in the Indecon Report which was published in July 2014. My Department is in regular contact with Bord na gCon in relation to the implementation of the action plan they published in this regard.

I commissioned the Indecon report in recognition of the need to review and reform aspects of greyhound sector and I view it as critically important that its recommendations are implemented, with a view to ensuring that the greyhound industry can reach its full potential and prosper into the future.