Irish Government And Racing In Northern Ireland

EDM number 1468 in 1993-94, proposed by James Molyneaux on 06/07/1994.

That this House notes that the Turf Club of Ireland, has hitherto administered racing on all courses in Ireland including Downpatrick and Down Royal, in Northern Ireland, to the satisfaction of those concerned; notes that the Government of the Republic of Ireland has legislated to replace the Turf Club with the incongruously named Irish Racing Authority and invited the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland to nominate a representative to that Authority; further notes that the latter arranged for a body representing trainers, owners and breeders in Northern Ireland plus Downpatrick and Down Royal race courses to make a nomination, but that the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Ireland has, apparently for domestic political reasons, contemptuously ignored the nomination unanimously made by those representing the industry in Northern Ireland; calls on the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland to intervene and ensure fair play; and further calls on the Government to reconsider proposals for co-operation between the two administrations in Ireland in the light of this failure by the Irish government to act in a fair and honourable manner.

This motion has been signed by a total of 2 MPs.