The spokesperson for Sinn Fein on Agriculture, Marine and Food, Martin Kenny TD, expressed the concern of public money been given to the horse and greyhound industry.

He classed the horse and greyhound racing industry as “a club of very rich people”. Personally, I don’t think he is correct. Not all people in industry are rich. He said, “There are very many people who feel that the amount of public money, 80 million euro, being put into the horse and greyhound racing industry mainly benefits a sector of society which is really a club of very rich people”.

Furthermore, Kenny also stated that the industry is “long past investment for development and growth. He said “I do understand how some industries and sectors need to get investment in order to stimulate their development and growth, however this sector is long past that stage”. In addition he stated that all money that is given to horse racing goes towards prize money for races. He said that most of this then goes to the more well off or the elite sector.

Kenny stated that Sinn Fein would not support the use of public money in horse racing and greyhounds due to the lack of governance in the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Greyhound Board. It stated “Sinn Féin does not support the amount of money being placed in the horse and greyhound racing industry, in the context of what is continuing to go on.”

With the election set to get underway these remarks will certainly not go down well with horse racing and greyhound people. In fact, if you want to see the current odds of the election you can find it here.

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The IGB said they have arranged a comprehensive package of greyhound trials which will begin on June 8th. They have also said that all 14 greyhound will have the intention to resume behind closed doors racing from June 15th. The chairman of the Irish Greyhound Board (IGB), Frank Nyhan said, “We very much welcome the government decision today which allows the greyhound industry to make the necessary arrangements for the resumption of greyhound racing.” Mr Nyhan said it was “critical” for the wider industry including breeders, owners, stadia networks and other support services.

Public health recommendations will continue to put in place and detailed protocols and response plans have been put in place by the IGB for those working in the current environment. Nyhan acknowledged Minister Creed for his his support stating, “I would like to acknowledge the support of Minister Creed and his officials at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in what has been a difficult period for all associated with the greyhound industry’’.

Furthermore the IGB put in place a Covid 19 Greyhound Care Payment Scheme. This meant a subsistence payment was paid in respect of over 6,600 greyhounds. This was to ensure care and welfare of racing greyhounds were adressed during the suspension of racing. It is expected the scheme cost around 1.3 million euros. The IGB have also said they will announce a detail scheduled of race meetings behind closed doors in the coming days

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