Why is greyhound racing - which involves travel from all corners of the country to tracks - allowed to continue during the Covid-19 pandemic? People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has questioned the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue...
Despite multiple, ongoing breaches of Covid-19 social distancing guidelines at greyhound tracks being brought to his attention, the Minister has stated that Greyhound Racing Ireland “has assured my Department that it has consistently operated in accordance with decisions of government and general guidance regarding compliance with all measures necessary to combat the spread of Covid-19.”
Minister McConalogue was responding to a Dail Question from Bríd Smith TD (Dublin South Central) who asked him “the reason for allowing greyhound racing to continue when hare coursing has correctly ceased during level 5 restrictions”.
In her 3rd February question, Deputy Smith also asked the Minister why he is allowing greyhound racing to continue “in a confined space with persons travelling from around the country to various stadiums which is considered unsafe given the unprecedented high level of Covid-19 infections”.
Minister McConalogue told her that under Statutory Instrument 29 of 2021, greyhound racing is permitted under Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with Covid-19.
“RCÉ [Greyhound Racing Ireland] is operating on a behind closed doors basis with all restaurant activity suspended. There is a strict ‘one person, one dog policy’ in place,” he stated.
Minister McConalogue and the government have disregarded reports of social distancing breaches at tracks.
Last May, as Fianna Fail’s agriculture spokesperson, Deputy McConalogue replied to an email from ICABS in which we pointed out that Greyhound Racing Ireland “is FALSELY claiming that it ‘successfully complied with all COVID-19 protocols when operating on a closed doors basis during early March 2020’.”
“This is completely untrue,” we stated in our correspondence. “Video evidence on its own website shows track staff and greyhound owners/trainers blatantly ignoring social distancing guidelines, as well as individuals in near-empty stands shoulder-to-shoulder watching races.”
In reply, he stated: “I will certainly consider on behalf of Fianna Fáil the points and concerns that you have raised in your email and will also pass on to the Minister for Agriculture for his attention.”
Breaches of social distancing guidelines continue to occur at tracks, including at race meetings this week.
There are renewed calls on the government to shut down greyhound racing
“Greyhound racing is entirely incompatible with social distancing,” we stated in an appeal to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly. “Typically at the start of each race, up to six greyhound owners lift greyhounds into the traps. Again, at the end of the races, the same six people rush in together to retrieve and remove their dogs to clear the track for the next race, meaning multiple close contacts are occurring at each meeting. Greyhound Racing Ireland assured the government that social distancing (which it acknowledged is ‘a critical measure to be observed by all’) would be ‘fully observed at all times’ at tracks. This has certainly not happened.”
While most people are being told to stay within 5km of home, those involved in greyhound racing have been exempted from the restrictions and remain free to travel from all corners of the country to attend races. There are fears that this is a factor in the spread of Covid-19.
The continuation of greyhound racing is making a mockery of public health guidelines and must be stopped.
ACTION ALERT
Contact Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar today and urge them to shut down greyhound racing NOW.
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly
Tel: (01) 201 7300 or (01) 618 3041
Email: ministersoffice@health.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnellyforWicklow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DonnellyStephen
Charlie McConalogue
Minister for Agriculture
Tel: (01) 618 3199
Email: charlie.mcconalogue@oireachtas.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CharlieMcConalogue
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@McConalogue
Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste
Telephone: +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Dail Question and Answer
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Greyhound Industry, 3 February 2021
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) - To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for allowing greyhound racing to continue when hare coursing has correctly ceased during level 5 restrictions; the further reason for allowing an activity to continue in a confined space with persons travelling from around the country to various stadiums which is considered unsafe given the unprecedented high level of Covid-19 infections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5160/21]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) - Rásíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Under S.I. No. 29 of 2021, the holding of greyhound racing is permitted under Level 5 of the National Framework for Living with Covid-19. RCÉ is operating on a behind closed doors basis with all restaurant activity suspended. There is a strict ‘one person, one dog policy’ in place.
RCÉ has informed my Department that it has a comprehensive Covid-19 response plan in place and adapts its approach according to government directives and public health advice. RCÉ has assured my Department that it has consistently operated in accordance with decisions of Government and general guidance regarding compliance with all measures necessary to combat the spread of Covid-19.