Letter to the Editor: A few bad eggs do not make this sport ‘immoral’

I read with interest that our Minister for Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, has taken it upon himself to ask Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to review their support for greyhound sport in light of the RTÉ Investigates programme recently aired.

The sport is “immoral”, according to said same minister.

It is quite amazing and absurd that this man can make such a decision based on a programme that abhorred every viewer that saw it, including the decent, honest and hardworking greyhound breeders and owners throughout the country.

There is no doubt that there are bad eggs in every walk of life and greyhound sport is no different. These people need to be identified and thrown out with immediate effect. However, to attempt to destroy a sport and with it the tradition, livelihood and hobby of many thousands of devoted supporters are, in my opinion, abominable.

To use an analogy……..we have seen many bad egg politicians found out in recent years and they have rightly been removed from office. However, the Dáil wasn’t closed down for business. Rather, I would like to think that the standards of our public representatives have improved since their removal.

Why then, can this not be mirrored within greyhound sport? Currently, there appears to be a serious and prolonged attempt by Minister Ross to finish the sport.

All greyhound supporters are being tarred with the same brush used in the RTÉ Investigates programme. It is a well-known fact that the vast majority of greyhound owners and breeders treat their greyhounds with the utmost respect and they are looked after better than themselves.

Perception is reality in today’s world and for that reason, it might be an idea for Minister Ross to take a trip around rural Ireland in his ministerial car because there is, contrary to some people’s opinions, an Ireland outside the M50.

He could then see for himself how the greyhound population in this country is looked after and make self-informed decisions afterwards.

He is, after all, minister for tourism and sport representing the 26 counties, not just inside The Pale.

Liam LiddyBallysimonCo Limerick