TAOISEACH Simon Harris has given an assurance that Fine Gael will continue to support the horseracing sector if they are returned to Government following next Friday’s General Election.

The Fine Gael leader this week attended the offices of The Irish Field and Irish Farmers Journal where he answered questions on his party’s policies.

Asked why horse owners and breeders should vote for Fine Gael representatives next Friday, the Taoiseach said: “Because we will continue to support them. Our manifesto is very clear on this. Others aren’t, and we will continue the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.

“Horse racing is worth a huge amount to the Irish economy but, even beyond that, it’s in our DNA. It gives us that great sense of pride in our communities, in our country. It helps promote our country on the international stage.

“So we’re going to continue to promote horse racing, to work with the industry, and to have that dedicated fund for the industry. I think that’s an appropriate way to proceed.”

The Gambling Regulation Bill was one of the last pieces of legislation passed by the outgoing Government. It threatens to stop live coverage of Irish racing as the media rights holder is British-based and its direct-to-home channel (Racing TV) carries gambling advertising to its British viewers.

Asked if Fine Gael would commit to helping resolve this anomaly, the Taoiseach said: “I want to be really honest with people - I fully support the gambling legislation.

“We have an epidemic in Ireland when it comes to gambling addiction. It’s brought a lot of pain to a lot of families, a lot of communities. And I think this piece of legislation is something I am proud of, because it looks at gambling from a public health point of view. That’s the first thing I want to say.

“Secondly, we have worked with the horse racing industry, and we made a number of changes to the legislation to reflect the views of those in the sector, and balancing that with other views too, particularly around the racecourse setting and what can be allowed there, and exemptions in that space.

“We have a Gambling Regulator now in place, and it is important that that regulator has continuous engagement with all stakeholders to work through issues as they arise.

“What I always find is when you provide legal certainty, people respond. People read that this is a new reality, and they respond accordingly. But engagement, conversation ongoing is really important.”

An RTE Investigates programme broadcast last summer highlighted serious issues in Ireland’s only licensed abattoir for horses, which was subsequently closed down. That is subject of an ongoing investigation.

On the subject of Fine Gael’s equine welfare policies, the Taoiseach said: “I think it does involve careful consideration. We need to make sure that the highest standards are always applied.

“I think we need to make sure that there’s serious consequences where those standards aren’t applied.”

On the possible licensing of another abattoir, he added: “My position is to look at the issue in the round now and to ask the Department to review these matters and to respond back to government, and to do that in a quick timeframe.”