14 Noll 2011, 15:28
The Joint Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture today questioned Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the funding allocated to the horse and greyhound industries for 2012.
In line with provisions in Budget 2012, Minister Coveney proposes to provide €56.3m in state funding to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon for 2012.
Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee Andrew Doyle TD said: “The Committee welcomed the opportunity to question the Minister on the proposed funding for the horse and greyhound industries in 2012. It was an informative and constructive meeting.
“In these straitened economic times, the Committee believes it critical that all state funding be closely scrutinised and evaluated. As an industry worth €9 billion and 27,000 jobs to the Irish economy, the Committee believes that the proposed funding is appropriate and proportionate, given the industry’s longstanding impact on rural Ireland.
“We welcome the Minister’s proposals around ensuring that the online betting industry pays its fair share and look forward to examining the proposed legislation early in the New Year.
“Horse and greyhound racing is an industry in which we are widely respected across the globe. We fully take on board the Minister’s concerns on being overtaken by competitor countries. France this year for instance will invest €750m of state funds in their horse racing industry.
“As this funding is crucial to the maintenance of Ireland as a world leader in this industry, the Committee recommends to the Dáil and Seanad that no further consideration on this issue is required.”
Ends
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
F: +3531 618 4551
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee Membership
Deputies
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Ann Phelan, Labour Party
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael
Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour Party
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Michael McNamara, Labour Party
Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail
Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail
John O’Mahony, Fine Gael
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators
Michael Comiskey
Paschal Mooney
Pat O’Neill
Mary Ann O’Brien
Brian Ó Domhnaill
John Whelan