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Greyhound Industry

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021

Thursday, 20 May 2021

Ceisteanna (65)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

65. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 995 of 11 May 2021, the reason an organisation (details supplied) claims the information requested is not available given its own website appears to contain the requested information, that is, the litter number per dog; if he will request the organisation to provide the information given its statutory obligation under section 26 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 to keep and provide such information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26976/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Stud Book since 1923. The stud book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership primarily of all greyhounds. Greyhounds are required to be named with the Club. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

The ICC receives no funding from Government or RCÉ. Funding is derived from Stud Book registration fees and the sale of the ICC newspaper “The Sporting Press".

Coursing is regulated by the ICC and its network consists of 89 affiliated clubs and 19 associate clubs, located across Ireland, including breeders, trainers, owners and supporters. Coursing clubs are required to comply with directives, instructions and guidance notes issued by the ICC.

The ICC has informed my Department that the data requested by the Deputy is not available for the years 2009 to 2020 as their system could report the total number of litters born but not the individual number of pups per litter. The average litter size is six pups per litter. The ICC registration software system has been subject to recent updates and the information requested will be available from 2021.

Section 26 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 refers only to matters relating to artificial insemination of greyhounds. Section 26 of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 refers to the Irish Coursing Club, including the keeping of records in broad terms.

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