Labour hypocrisy on horse and dog fund

BEFORE he criticises such funding as the Horse and Greyhound Fund (Irish Examiner, October 12) Fergus Finlay should check out how the Labour Party reacted to the establishment of the fund in 2001.

He will find that Labour spokesman Willie Penrose said that “increased funding of both industries on a sustained, guaranteed basis, most importantly for their ongoing development on a permanent basis, is to be heartily welcomed”.

Regulations for future funding were debated with Minister John O’Donoghue at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Sport and Tourism last week, when Labour’s spokesman on sport, Jack Wall, said he “fully supports what’s there in the regulations”.

The fund is making a major contribution to the national economy. The recent Indecon report confirmed that horse racing was a significant net contributor to Ireland.

Of course, Fergus Finlay should be well aware of this as he used to be a paid lobbyist for the Irish Turf Club.

Joe Walsh TD

Dáil Eireann

Kildare Street

Dublin 2