Dáil Éireann

Vol. 933 Wednesday, No. 1 14 December 2016 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) 4/12/2016A 0Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016: Motion 2 14/12/2016E00600Statute Law Revision Bill 2016: Order for Report Stage 11 14/12/2016E00900Statute Law Revision Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages 11 14/12/2016E01400Message from Select Committee 12 4/12/2016G00100Leaders’ Questions 12 14/12/2016L00400Questions on Proposed Legislation 22 14/12/2016M03300Famine Memorial Bill 2016: First Stage 27 14/12/2016N01200Employment Equality (Amendment) Bill 2016: First Stage 29 14/12/2016N02100Ceisteanna - Questions 30 14/12/2016N02150European Council Meetings 30 14/12/2016P00650Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements 35 14/12/2016R01150EU Meetings 41 14/12/2016S00700Topical Issue Matters ��44 14/12/2016S00900Pre-European Council: Statements ��45 14/12/2016AA00300Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) ��64 14/12/2016AA00400Priority Questions 64 14/12/2016AA00650Child Care Services Provision ��64 14/12/2016BB00450Services for People with Disabilities 66 14/12/2016CC00300Child and Family Agency Remit 68 14/12/2016DD00100Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children 69 14/12/2016DD01000Child Protection Services Provision 71 14/12/2016EE00500Other Questions 73 14/12/2016EE00550Child Care Services Provision ��73 14/12/2016FF00200School Transport Provision 75 14/12/2016FF00900School Completion Programme 77 14/12/2016GG00750Child Detention Centres 79 14/12/2016HH00400Domestic Violence Policy 81 14/12/2016HH01200Child Protection 82 14/12/2016JJ00400Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries ��84 14/12/2016JJ01200Child Protection 85 14/12/2016KK01250Preschool Services 87 14/12/2016LL00300Message from Seanad 88 14/12/2016LL00500Topical Issue Debate 88 14/12/2016LL00550Schools Building Projects Status 88 14/12/2016MM00250School Staff ��92 14/12/2016NN00300Road Improvement Schemes 94 14/12/2016OO00850Hospital Services 97 14/12/2016PP00400Business of Dáil 100 14/12/2016TT00100Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2016: Order for Second Stage 100 14/12/2016TT00500Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2016: Second Stage 101 14/12/2016FFF01300Appropriation Bill 2016: Second and Subsequent Stages ��134 14/12/2016HHH00900Road Traffic Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Report Stage (Resumed) 139 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Céadaoin, 14 Nollaig 2016 Wednesday, 14 December 2016 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 11 am Paidir. Prayer. 14/12/2016A00025Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016: Motion 14/12/2016A00050Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Andrew Doyle): I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the following Regulations in draft: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016, copies of which were laid in draft form before Dáil Éireann on 21 November 2016 The most recent estimates available suggest the horse and greyhound racing industries com- bined underpin more than 24,000 jobs and stimulate approximately €16 billion in economic output The Estimates for my Department, passed by both Houses as part of budget 2017, include an allocation of €80 million for the horse and greyhound racing fund This will be dis- tributed in accordance with section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, with 80%, some €64 million, going to HRI, Horse Racing Ireland, and 20%, some €16 million, to Bord na gCon To allow my Department to provide the moneys allocated in budget 2017, it is necessary to comply with the technical requirement under section 12(13) of the Horse and Greyhound Rac- ing Act, to increase the cumulative limit on the amount payable from the horse and greyhound racing fund by €80 million to €1118 billion This is achieved by way of the regulations submit- ted to this House today The aggregate limit on the horse and greyhound racing fund has been increased in this manner in 2004 and from 2009 to 2015, inclusive It is estimated the Irish bloodstock industry provides 14,000 jobs and contributes almost €11 billion to the economy In 2015, bloodstock export sales rose to €268 million in what was a remarkable year for the Irish bloodstock industry Ireland holds a distinguished position in the thoroughbred racing world, being the largest producer of thoroughbred foals in Europe and the fourth largest in the world Approximately 40% of the EU output of thoroughbreds and 11% of the total worldwide are produced in Ireland 2 14 December 2016 The greyhound racing sector is also an important driver of employment and economic activity in both rural and urban areas A report by the economist Jim Power in 2010 estimated the greyhound industry employed over 10,300 people and contributed an estimated €500 million in economic output to local economies around tracks which have a wide geographic spread As part of the Government’s commitment to the sector, its overall objective is to ensure the horse and greyhound racing industries achieve their maximum potential and, in so doing, contribute to economic and social development I will shortly be bringing forward the heads of a greyhound industry Bill to ensure the prin- ciples of good governance and regulation are clearly and unambiguously laid down in primary legislation In broad terms, the Bill will seek to provide a statutory framework for improved governance, tighter regulation and stronger powers to deal with breaches of the racing code It will also address issues identified in a report authored by the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in January 2016, as well as those contained in both the Indecon report and the Morris review of anti-doping and medication control This Bill will strengthen the greyhound industry and give it the powers to deal with issues of regulation in a more effective way. Without doubt, Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon face significant challenges as they work to grow and develop the horse and greyhound industries in an extremely competitive market segment The €80 million allocation is vital to help secure rural jobs and sustain rural communities Given that these two industries have footprints in many parts of rural Ireland, I am confident it is the goal of all of us here to realise fully the contribution of these sectors to the Irish economy, employment and the social and cultural fabric of the country Accordingly, I ask Deputies for their support to ensure Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon receive the funding provided for in budget 2017 and that the very important role of these industries and the economic activity generated by them are sustained into the future I commend this regulation to the House 14/12/2016B00200Acting Chairman (Deputy Declan Breathnach): There are nine speakers and the business has to conclude in 40 minutes so I ask Deputies to be as prompt as they can 14/12/2016B00300Deputy

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