Horse & Greyhound industries put on notice by astonishing Sinn Féin about turn – Cummins

Sinn Féin once again demonstrated its staggering ability to talk out of both sides of its mouth when it opposed the €91 million Horse and Greyhound fund, Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has stated.

“The horse and greyhound racing industries make hugely valuable contributions to our regional and rural economies. It is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €1.84 billion with direct and indirect employment of 29,000 people and that the greyhound sector benefits an estimated 10,000 people economically,” Senator Cummins outlined.

“The Estimates for the Department of Agriculture passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas as part of budget 2023 includes an allocation of €91 million for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund. This will be distributed in accordance with section 12(6) of the 2001 Act, with 80%, or €72 million, going to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the remaining 20%, or €18.2 million, going to Rásaíocht Con Éireann.

“The importance of animal welfare and integrity in the horseracing and greyhound sectors is a key prerequisite of this fund and is something which is of paramount importance to the Government. It is also of paramount importance to HRI and Rásaíocht Con Éireann and the fund ensures many of the excellent initiatives which both organisations run have adequate resources”

“Sinn Féin has claimed consistently to support both industries. Last year Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Matt Carthy TD, opened his speech on the fund by saying ‘The horse and greyhound racing sectors are success stories that should be celebrated by people across Ireland and they should, rightly, be supported by the Government through direct financial measures’.

“However, the evidence of Sinn Féin’s disingenuity was clear for all to see from votes held in Seanad and Dáil Éireann yesterday when they joined parties such as Labour, Social Democrats and People Before Profit in opposing the €91 million Horse and Greyhound fund. By doing so, they have demonstrated they would put the thousands of jobs and incomes supported by the fund in jeopardy. This should act as a wake-up call to all those people employed directly or indirectly or who rely on income generated by both industries.