Funding problem set to dominate for years to come

Former Minister for Agriculture Ivan Yates caused many a head to nod in agreement when, during a recent address to the annual lunch of the Dublin Greyhound Track Bookmakers, he commented that the first priority for Greyhound and Horse Racing folk should be to have the respective industries returned under the umbrella of the Department of Agriculture.

It has long been a mystery why greyhound and horse racing were ever moved from Agriculture which had been an appropriate home for many years. The breeding and rearing of greyhounds and horses is very much an alternative form of farming and the preserve of the rural community.

Given the nature of the employment factor involved in both sports/industries the normal confines applied by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in issuing grants cannot deal fairly and equitably with them. When any problem arises through Food and Mouth outbreaks, importation and exportation, etc, it is invariably the Department of Agriculture with which breeders, owners and trainers have to deal. So, why not deal with that Department on a full time basis. It worked satisfactorily for years and can do so again.