Fine Gael wants new greyhound doping board
Fine Gael is bringing forward a bill to tighten up drug-testing procedures following the fiasco of recent months at Bord na gCon.
Controversy erupted when it emerged that the semi-State organisation, which is responsible for regulation of the industry, had suppressed positive drug findings against two greyhound trainers, Paul Hennessy and John Kiely.
That decision resulted in serious criticism of Bord na gCon chairman Paschal Taggart.
Fine Gael is proposing that a “controls and appeal board” be set up, independent of Bord na gCon, to oversee drug testing.
The new body would consist of four members and carry out a number of functions, including:
Cracking down on doping and illegal drug use;
Making regulations, as necessary, pertaining to drug use in the sport;
Promoting integrity and fair play;
Acting as an independent appeals body separate from Bord na gCon.
Fine Gael sports spokesman Jimmy Deenihan said such a body was crucial to maintaining confidence in the industry.
Sports Minister John O’Donoghue has already conceded that the existing law needs to be overhauled.
The likelihood, however, is that he will reject Fine Gael’s proposed legislation, which the party has named the Greyhound Industry (Doping Regulation) Bill 2006.
Opposition bills are usually defeated in the Dáil because the Government prefers to introduce its own legislation.
Mr O’Donoghue is most likely to wait until the publication of the Dalton report into the recent controversies at Bord na gCon before deciding what legislative changes are necessary.
That report, compiled by Tim Dalton, a former secretary general at the Department of Justice, examined the issues surrounding the sacking of Bord na gCon chief executive Aidan Tynan — including the suppressed drug findings — and is expected to be published within the next 10 days.
