(Limerick West) asked the Minister for Agriculture if there are any plans within his Department to introduce legislation to improve and strengthen the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Officials of my Department and Bord na gCon are currently having discussions on the overall position of the greyhound industry and I hope to be in a position shortly to decide if legislative changes are required to improve the industry.

(Limerick West): Could the Minister of State give any further indication of what changes are necessary and likely to take place? Is he aware that there is concern within the industry that enough is not being done by the Department of Agriculture?

We are meeting Bord na gCon in order to try to work out something. Falling attendances and consequential reduction in betting turnover have affected the board's finances seriously and, as a result, prize money grants have had to be reduced and amenity grants frozen except for essential equipment at the tracks. In 1984, in an effort to reduce tax avoidance and increase levy returns, the board introduced an incentive scheme whereby amounts which exceeded levy targets set for individual tracks were divided equally between the board, the tracks concerned and the prize money at the tracks. In addition the Government this year decided to remove the 1.5 per cent stamp duty from on-course betting with the bookmakers. The board responded by reducing the levy by 1 per cent thereby reducing the overall take from bookmakers to 5 per cent. Early signs indicate that these remedial measure are having the desired effect. Bord na gCon have been asked to furnish a memorandum on the present state of the greyhound industry and particularly on their own overall financial situation. It is expected that this report will come to hand shortly.

(Limerick West): Is the Minister of State aware that, as I have indicated, the industry needs to be strengthened? Can he give me some indication of when the discussions with all sections are likely to be complete? I presume he is talking about all sections of the industry. Will he confirm that also?

We are discussing it with Bord na gCon at the moment.

(Limerick West): Has the Minister of State had discussions with any other sections of the industry?

I am not aware of any other discussions.

(Limerick West): Will he initiate discussions with other interests of the industry?

We will talk to Bord na gCon and we will come back shortly with our findings. Whether we broaden out the scope of the discussions remains to be seen.

(Limerick West): Does the Minister of State see it as desirable to broaden out the discussions?

No, I think the course of action we have plotted is the one I would stick with.

(Limerick West): Why is he so reluctant to have discussions with other sectors of the industry?

We cannot have this cross-examining.

(Limerick West): Question Time is to get information from the Minister.

We have dealt with only nine questions in 45 minutes.

(Limerick West): Is there any reason why the Minister of State or his Department will not have discussions with other interests in the industry?

None at all. We are having ongoing discussions. The Deputy asked a specific question and I answered him. We are having discussions with Bord na gCon and we will have a report from Bord na gCon very shortly that will embrace all aspects of the industry, including ICC, and we will study that report.

(Limerick West): I put it to the Minister of State that after getting this report from Bord na gCon he will then feel it necessary to have discussions with other interests in the industry.

We may well do so.

Is the Minister of State aware of the serious ripples which were created within the industry by the Minister for Agriculture during his recent statement in America proposing to remove bookmakers from the greyhound tracks?

That is a separate question.

Will he agree that the removal of bookmakers from the greyhound tracks will have a serious effect not alone on the industry but also on the many people who are relying on self-employment?

The Deputy should have put down a question.

Would the Minister of State like to comment on that?