Trial harness race meeting to take place in Dundalk later this month

Dundalk Stadium

A harness race meeting will take place at Dundalk Stadium later this month.

The trial event was confirmed by the Irish Harness Racing Association earlier today for Sunday September 27^th.

It follows an intervention earlier this year by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney who said in July he would investigate the possibility of staging harness racing in Dundalk Stadium.

It came following a query from Deputy Martin Ferris as to why the IHRA’s bid to stage races in Dundalk were objected to by Horse Racing Ireland.

Ireland’s risk status for BSE changed following local case

The McArdle farm in Louth Village where the BSE case was discovered

Ireland’s risk status for BSE has been reclassified to “controlled” following the recent discovery of an infected animal in Co Louth.

The change, which had been expected, comes only weeks after Ireland had been granted a “negligible risk status” for the disease, the lowest possible designation.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed to The Irish Times that following the detection of a new case, Ireland would now revert to its previous “controlled” status.

“In response to the information provided by the Irish authorities, the [OIE’S] Scientific Commission for Animal Diseases conducted a review and reclassified Ireland from negligible status – as accorded at the general session, in May, in advance of the detection of the new case – to controlled risk status, its previous designation,” a spokesman said.

The organisation said it had notified the Department of Agriculture here of the change in status in June.

The department’s investigation into the local case at a farm in Louth Village, the State’s first in more than two years, concluded the affected animal, a five-year-old dairy cow, had contracted classic or typical BSE.

This strain normally occurs in animals that have consumed contaminated feed or in the progeny of animals that have contracted the disease.

The department’s investigation ruled out the “vertical transmission” explanation after tests on the cow’s mother and grandmother proved negative. Tests on feed used at the farm were also found not to contain meat and bone meal, which has been banned in the Republic since 1990, resulting in the classification of the latest case as sporadic and unexplained, which is not an uncommon finding.

However, because it can take four to six years for cattle to show signs of BSE, it may take some time for the State to reclaim a negligible-risk status for BSE.

The case represents a setback for the beef industry in Ireland, which had only regained access to the lucrative US, Chinese and Japanese markets for the first time since the infamous BSE crisis of the 1990s.

However, given its apparent once-off nature and the relatively swift detection protocols, the new case is not expected to damage the State’s €2 billion beef trade.

In addition, the recent agreements with the US, China and Japan were signed when the State had a controlled-risk status.

Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney is expected to lead a delegation to China later this year to mark the formal reopening of the market to Irish producers.

Coveney to investigate staging of harness racing at Dundalk Stadium

Dundalk Stadium

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney is set to investigate the possibility of staging harness racing at Dundalk Stadium.

He said he will engage with the relevant organisations on the matter after Deputy Martin Ferris queried why the Irish Harness Racing Association’s bid to stage races in Dundalk were objected to by Horse Racing Ireland.

In his response Minister Coveney said the Irish Harness Racing Association only formed a limited company in May but were looking to progress the sport here, adding that it “could be a big sport and industry in Ireland, if managed properly.”

He said the association has applied for Ireland to become a full member of l’Union Européenne du Trot, UET, the umbrella organisation for national harness racing organisations in 22 European countries. This would open the way for Irish competitors to compete in Europe.

Deputy Ferris said it was his understanding that the French harness racing association is prepared to make a “significant investment and provide prize money” for three meetings in Dundalk if they can be arranged.

He said it was his understanding that a previous harness racing event in Dundalk was “quite successful” and questioned why Horse Racing Ireland would block future meetings.

The Sinn Féin representative said: “I have seen a letter sent to Dundalk race track from Horse Racing Ireland, stating the reasons it did not want harness racing to take place there, one of which was commercial, meaning competition. If that is the case, it is disgraceful.

“Horse Racing Ireland is an association for thoroughbreds. I do not accept that it has a right to do this, given that as a committee we allocate significant funding to it each year, as well as to the greyhound board. Many say HRI’s objections amount to bigotry and that HRI looks down on the sport. That in itself sends a wrong message.”

Minister Coveney confirmed there had been requests for harness racing meetings at Dundalk Stadium and said he would work with the relevant bodies to ensure a satisfactory conclusion to the matter.

Minister Simon Coveney

In a written answer to Deputy Ferris, he said: “The Irish Harness Racing Association requested permission from Horse Racing Ireland to stage a number of harness racing fixtures at Dundalk racecourse, one in July 2015, one in December 2015 and three in January 2016.

“The association’s intention is that the first of these events would enable the French and European authorities to conduct an audit which would guide their consideration of the association’s bid for admission to the UET. I understand that, having considered the matter, Horse Racing Ireland decided that it was not within its remit to support the staging of harness racing at an authorised racecourse and that it had a number of concerns which it communicated to the Irish Harness Racing Association.

“Against that background, my Department has written to Horse Racing Ireland to ask if it would be prepared to reconsider the specific request from the Irish Harness Racing Association to hold the fixtures in July and December 2015 and in January 2016. I stress, however, that such decisions are ultimately matters for HRI and its board.

“I spoke to the chairperson of HRI about the issue on Saturday at the derby meeting at the Curragh. We live in a horse-mad country. Horse sports such as show jumping, eventing, racing and harness racing need proper structures and regulation to make sure we have it right from a welfare point of view and that we allow the sports to grow and expand in a managed, controlled, responsible and ambitious way. That goes for harness racing the same as it does for any other form of racing. I will engage with the organisations concerned to see if we can make some progress.

“There is an opportunity for us to build something, but we need to do it in the proper way and make sure the venues are right. Whether Dundalk race track is that venue needs further discussion. There is a commitment from me to try to have structures and regulations for this industry in order that we can deal with the welfare concerns many people have and the bad image of harness racing in the minds of the public which is unfair to the sport. We can do this if we work together,” said the Minister.

Second set of BSE test results due back tomorrow

The McArdle farm in Louth Village where the suspected BSE case was discovered

A second set of test results from a suspected case of BSE in Co Louth are expected to be available from tomorrow.

Two weeks ago the Department of Agriculture revealed they were carrying out tests on a five-year-old cow found dead on a dairy farm in Louth Village.

If confirmed as BSE, it would be Ireland’s first case since 2013.

Speaking yesterday, Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said he wanted to provide an update and a “more complete statement” on the situation.

He said: “We’re waiting for confirmation tests to come back from abroad and we’re told that’ll probably be Thursday evening at this stage and obviously our investigation is ongoing at the same time.

“So I think we’ll be able to give a pretty complete picture by then.”

Adams welcomes Minister’s decision to approve foreshore licence at Annagassan Harbour

Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, to approve a foreshore licence for maintenance dredging works at Annagassan Harbour. The Minister has agreed that the licence should be issued to Louth County Council as a priority.

Deputy Adams said: “Growing levels of sand and silt in Annagassan Harbour has left fishermen unable to berth their boats normally. Some have been unable to get down to their boats from the pier. They have also expressed concern at the growth of a silt bank at the entrance to the harbour.

“My colleague Councillor Pearse McGeough and I have been raising this issue for some time. We were told previously that there was no money from the Department of the Marine to carry out this work.

“Because of this problem fishermen using the Harbour have been refusing to pay their Harbour dues and this has led to a legal confrontation with Louth County Council sending solicitors letters out.

“Yesterday I received a response to a Parliamentary Question I had submitted to the Minister. In his reply the Minister confirms that a ‘Foreshore Licence under Section 3 of the 1933 Foreshore Act has been approved by me in respect of periodic maintenance dredging works at Annagassan Harbour, Castlebellingham, Co Louth. The Licence in question will issue to Louth County Council as a priority.’

“This is a welcome decision but it leaves unresolved the issue of compensation and harbour dues. We will continue to pursue this with Louth County Council.”

 

Adams and Carthy address Omeath meeting on threats to rural Ireland

Sinn Féin European election candidate Matt Carthy, party president and Louth TD Gerry Adams and local councillors Edel Corrigan and Jim Loughran at the Sinn Féin meeting in Omeath last night

Louth TD and Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and EU party candidate Matt Carthy last night addressed a meeting in the Granvue Hotel in Omeath.

The event focused on the crisis in rural areas and the threats posed to rural communities by rural crime and the threat to the post offices. The Narrow Water Bridge and future European funding for the area were also discussed.

Deputy Adams urged those present to support Matt Carthy who is standing for Sinn Féin in the European elections.

“Matt is an enthusiastic and energetic public representative. He will make an excellent MEP representing the needs of this area in Europe.”

The Sinn Féin leader warned that “at a time when rural Ireland is under attack and thousands of citizens, mainly young people, have been forced to emigrate, we need an MEP and a strong team of Sinn Féin local councillors who will defend rural Ireland and prioritise its needs.

“The policies of Fine Gael and Labour; including the property tax, septic tank charges, water charges later this year and other stealth taxes are impoverishing families and hurting rural communities.”

Adams also called on the government to take action to protect rural post offices.

“The recent report from the Irish Postmasters Union warns that the postal network will have declined by 48% by 2017 without a proper government plan. This would be devastating for rural communities and must be opposed.

“Sinn Féin is for equality of access to services, and greater investment in infrastructure and facilities outside of urban centres.”

Speaking on rural crime Mr Adams said: “One of the biggest issues now facing rural communities is crime and the fear that crime generates, especially among vulnerable citizens. Many elderly people in rural Ireland feel that they have been abandoned.

“The closure of Garda stations has put the safety of communities at risk as criminals and anti-social elements receive a boost of confidence in the absence of nearby Garda stations.

“The Irish Farmers’ Association, the Garda Representatives Association, political representatives from across rural Ireland and the vast majority of Gardaí, have rejected Garda station closures as they know the value of community policing.

“County Louth ranks fourth among the 26 counties for crime levels.

“Recently myself and Councillors Edel Corrigan and Jim Loughran met both An Garda Siochaná on the issues of policing, crime levels and cross-border crime. I have also met senior PSNI officers.

“Gardaí have acknowledged that the limited resources under which they have operated for many years, have now been cut further and that this is having a negative impact on policing.

“In recent responses to my parliamentary questions the Minister for Justice revealed that Garda numbers in Louth have fallen from a high in 2010 of 314 Gardaí to a low in 2013 of 286.

“Falling Garda resources will do nothing to reassure the community. What we need to see is a fully-resourced Garda plan for Louth which includes greater Garda visibility and an increase in community-based Gardaí.”

The Louth TD called for greater emphasis on partnership policing between communities and the Garda.

He said: “We need effective partnership between the police and local communities. The Department of Justice and Equality must give proper recognition and resourcing to such groups.

“Sinn Féin will continue to lobby the Minister for Justice on concluding the review of the Joint Policing Committees and will seek to ensure that the recommendations are effective and implemented.

“Sinn Fein will also lobby the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney to be more pro-active in conjunction with the IFA in relation to security on the farm. In the north, Sinn Féin Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill has made this a priority.

“The issue of crime and anti-social behaviour in this region cannot be separated from the general economic well-being and development of the county.”

Deputy Adams also called for a proper funding package to be put in place by government to deliver the Narrow Water Bridge.

He said: “The failure of the Government to ensure that the Narrow Water Bridge was built is an opportunity missed. It has been a bad blow to County Louth.

“Money from Europe became available through the Special European Union Programmes Body because of an under-spend and Sinn Féin Cllr Jim Loughran asserting a judicial challenge. The money offered was not enough to cover the costs and the project promoters were not in a position to raise the extra capital to cover the shortfall.

“The government needed to provide a relatively small €6 million funding package from the Taoiseach and the Department of Transport.

“When I raised this issue with the Taoiseach in the Dáil, Enda Kenny said that he was in support of the project. I am disappointed that the Taoiseach’s actions did not match his words.

“The bridge will be not be built on promises. A proper funding strategy needs to be put in place.

“The Narrow Water Bridge project can still go ahead in the future if the political will exists.”

Finally, Deputy Adams called for the creation by local councils on both sides of the border of a European Union Funding Unit that would service the region of Louth, Armagh and Down.

“This would allow councils to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the European programmes, in particular the 2014-2020 INTERREG budget,” he said.

“This has been done to great effect in Belfast where millions of additional funding has been drawn down as a result.

“If parties are serious about investment, infrastructure, job creation, energy efficiency and tourism, they should back Sinn Fein’s proposal for a more professional approach to drawing down funding from the EU and promoting the County Louth Border region in Brussels.”