FG Bill to control greyhound doping is defeated

THE Government last night defeated an Opposition Bill aimed at tightening doping controls in the greyhound industry, saying it was premature.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue told the Dáil that changes would be made only after a report into affairs at Bord na gCon had been published.

Mr O’Donoghue commissioned Tim Dalton, a former secretary general at the Department of Justice, to produce the report in question following Bord na gCon’s decision to sack chief executive Aidan Tynan on January 26.

Mr Dalton is examining corporate governance issues at the semi-State organisation, which is responsible for regulation of the greyhound racing industry, as well as its management of drug tests.

Mr Tynan was sacked a short time after he wrote to the minister complaining that the board of the organisation had suppressed positive drug findings against two greyhound trainers.

Last night’s Bill brought forward by Fine Gael TD Jimmy Deenihan would have established an independent body to test for doping in the industry, had it been passed into law.

Mr Deenihan told the Dáil that such a body was crucial to maintaining confidence in the industry.

His party colleague, Jim O’Keeffe, said there was something “extremely rotten” within the industry. Several sources had told him trainers were availing of banned substances, although the frequency of doping was unclear. In addition, he said, the drug-testing system was “quite ridiculous”, hence, the need for the stricter controls contained in the Fine Gael bill.

As expected, the minister rejected the bill, saying there was a need for due process.

“I have made it clear throughout the process that given the nature of the issues under investigation [by Mr Dalton], it was essential that the investigation should be carried out in a thoroughgoing manner with due regard for the rights of all of the parties involved,” he said. “Because of this, I have taken the line that it would be entirely wrong to address issues highlighted by Mr Dalton until his investigation had been completed.”

Mr Dalton submitted a draft of his report in April, and the minister’s department invited parties mentioned in it to comment. Nine submissions were received, which are being evaluated by Mr Dalton before he finalises his report.

Mr O’Donoghue said he expected the report to be finished within “a day or two”, adding: “It would be my intention then to present proposals to my Cabinet colleagues for dealing with the recommendations made in the Dalton Report and to seek approval for the publication of the report — hopefully next week.”