Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016

Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund

14. Section 12 of the Act of 2001 is amended by substituting for subsection (9) the following:

“(9) (a) Payments from the Fund by the Minister under subsection (6) shall be by instalments in accordance with paragraph (b).

(b) The Minister shall determine the number and amount of instalments payable under paragraph (a) following assessment of the financial needs of HRI and Bord na gCon and in the event that the financial needs of either body alter significantly the Minister may alter the number and amount of the instalments.

(c) The Minister may withhold any or all instalments or part of an instalment to either HRI or Bord na gCon where the Minister is of the opinion that—

(i) the strategic plans submitted under subsection (10) by either HRI or Bord na gCon, as the case may be, are deficient or unreasonable,

(ii) reasonable progress on the implementation of those plans has not been made,

(iii) HRI has failed to provide any information requested by the Minister under section 29A of the Act of 1994,

(iv) HRI has failed to comply with a direction of the Minister given under section 29A of the Act of 1994,

(v) Bord na gCon has failed to provide any information requested by the Minister under section 19A of the Act of 1958, and

(vi) Bord na gCon has failed to comply with a direction of the Minister issued under section 19A of the Act of 1958.

(d) Where moneys are withheld under paragraph (c), these moneys shall remain in the Fund until the Minister is satisfied that the strategic plans are sufficient and reasonable or necessary progress is made or the direction or request, as the case may be, has been complied with.”.