The Irish Tourist Board has suspended links with greyhound racing. The decision has caused fury amongst greyhound owners.
Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland told the Irish Greyhound Board last Thursday that they would not be featuring greyhound racing in any tourism marketing campaigns in Ireland or abroad.
The decision was reached after concerns were raised by Minister for Sport Shane Ross following the RTE Investigates programme into the sport which was broadcast in June.
The decision is a blow to the Irish Greyhound Board as the tourism market is an important source of revenue for the sport in certain regions.
Irish Greyhound Board CEO Gerard Dollard said: “The Greyhound Board is a semi-state organisation and a legitimate industry and the tourism market was an important demographic for the industry.”
“About 30,000 tourists were among the 500,000 people who visited greyhound stadia.
“Not promoting greyhound racing on the tourism websites would have a negative impact.
“There is a positive story to tell about the industry but it’s not getting out.”
The Irish Greyhound Board will be making submissions to the relevant government departments outlining the range of measures that have been made to make “significant improvements” in the industry.
Dollard added: “People need to step back and to hear the other side of the story. I hope the message will get across that we are a responsible industry,” he said.
In response to questions in the Irish Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar stated that the tourist bodies made the decision for themselves.
But in a boost for the sport he added: “I go to Shelbourne Park every Christmas and intend to go again this year. I recommend that anyone who wishes for form an opinion should go along to their local meeting and make a decision themselves about whether to promote it or not.”
