16 Iúil 2014, 15:40
Committee to continue pre-legislative scrutiny of Horse Racing Bill
16 July 2014
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine meets representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association to discuss the Agri-Tax Review tomorrow morning.
The Review was announced in this year’s budget by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan TD with Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD.
Committee Chairman Andrew Doyle says: “The Agri-taxation review announced as part of Budget 2014 sets out to ensure we have a tax system that supports and incentivises farm families in increasing production, so that the ambitious targets of Food Harvest 2020 can be met. Tomorrow, representatives from the IFA and ICMSA will have an opportunity to outline any anomalies within the current tax system, and how the code can be improved to enhance the efficiency of Irish farms.”
Separately, the Committee will continue its hearings on pre-legislative scrutiny of the Horse Racing Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014.
Representatives from the Horse Racing Ireland are before the Committee. The engagement follows previous Committee meetings in recent weeks with a wide range of stakeholders. A meeting to conclude the scrutiny process is expected in September.
The Bill seeks to amend and extend the Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994, the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Animal Remedies Act 1993 to promote good governance and administration of Irish horse racing and related matters.
Access Draft General Scheme via the Department of Agriculture website.
Deputy Doyle continues: “Tomorrow we will continue pre-legislative scrutiny on what is an important piece of legislation for Ireland’s horse racing industry. In amending and extending a number of Acts, the Bill sets out to reform the role and functions of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), which is the governing body of horse racing on the island of Ireland. We look forward to engaging with HRI representatives on the draft legislation at tomorrow’s meeting.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Thursday 17 July 2014 at 9:30 am in Committee Room 3, LH 2000. Commencing with the session on the Agri-Taxation review, it can be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS
View Committee Membership.
For further information please contact:
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Houses of the Oireachtas,
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