Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I never lobbied, not really.

One of the big threats that Mr. Hartery and his board will have to confront is Brexit. It certainly represents a significant threat to the horse racing and horse breeding industry in Ireland because the UK is our biggest export market, ahead of France. Some of our racecourses are across the Border. Has Mr. Hartery thought about this? Has the board prepared a plan? Is HRI working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on this? What has been the interaction between HRI and the British Horseracing Authority in the United Kingdom, and with Gallop France? Interaction with these organisations is very important to us in this context. I know that HRI is in a difficult position. Like everybody else, they are in a vacuum, but HRI is a major industry that has significant North, South, east and west relationships.

The question I have for Mr. Hartery is one that often comes up at this committee - including at our last meeting when the HRI chief executive referred to it - on the significant funding provided by the people of Ireland to the horse racing industry. Mr. Hartery has expressed his appreciation for that today, and it has cross-party support. In a recent presentation to this committee the HRI chief executive spoke of a long-term and sustainable funding structure to be put in place. Has Mr. Hartery given any thought as to what a long-term sustainable funding structure for the industry would look like?

The industry is not just very important for breeders, jockeys and those within the industry; it also makes a major contribution to rural areas in particular. There were big events at places such as the Curragh at the weekend but smaller racecourses such as Ballinrobe, Roscommon and Kilbeggan are tremendously important to the midlands. There have been some noteworthy successes. One of our most significant owners lives right in the heart of that area, just outside Mullingar at the Gigginstown House stud. We have a great history there but it is important that it is maintained, retained and supported.

One has to look for ways to do that, such as taxation, including the betting tax and whatever will come forward, as a sustainable way of ensuring that the industry will be promoted and financed.