The minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy, whose funding-for-amalgamation offer has split Irish racing, struck an impatient note yesterday when he warned the industry: 'It's no skin off my nose if nothing happens.'
The Turf Club and the Association of Irish Racecourses have dug their heels in against the Minister's wish for one ruling body in racing, in exchange for which the Government will legislate for the betting tax revenue to be pumped back into the sport.
McCreevy yesterday said he was not surprised by the recent necessity to introduce two civil servants in a bid to accelerate the negotiating process but left no one in doubt that the current stalemate cannot proceed indefinitely.
'Neither the Minster for Agriculture Joe Walsh or myself will force medicine down anyone's throat,' McCreevy said yesterday, before vigorously emphasising his view that the Government wants to distance itself as much as possible from the running of racing.
'I find it a bit amusing when I see headlines and hear comments about the Government wanting to take over the industry. It's out of the bloody thing we want,' he said. The Minister again declared his view that all of the racing industry is interdependent but added: 'Some of the contributions to this debate have been off the wall.'
McCreevy said: 'I have no doubt about the bone fides and the goodwill of most people on both sides but an awful lot of personality has become involved in this. Maybe we shouldn't be surprised by that but I believe for the overall good of the game we should forget the past and battle for the future.'
He welcomed the recent contribution of the former senior steward, Brigadier Sam Waller, who has warned that any betting tax revenue may shrink dramatically because of a future explosion of internet betting.
'I thought that was helpful and I can see the logic in what he is saying, but I can honestly take the view that substantial money will continue to be bet off course in the future, despite internet betting,' said McCreevy.
'I'm sure there are ways of getting over this issue and I know in Europe that the question of taxing internet trading is being discussed,' he added while emphasising his openness to negotiations with all parties over all aspects of the proposed offer.
'My proposal is to have racing run under one single organisational structure, with funding coming from off-course betting. That is the case in most other countries. But then I see comments from people who seem to want total control of the present structures and get government funding at the same time,' McCreevy commented.
The Minister made his original offer at the Moyglare dinner last December, but the Turf Club later voiced fears about racing's integrity services and the AIR's refusal to give up media rights has led to a breaking of ranks in their organisation.
Those two organisations are currently trying to draw up proposals that will be acceptable to all, but the McCreevy offer, which has the support of the Irish Horseracing Authority and most other bodies within the sport, may be only on the table until October when estimates will have to be made on the eve of the next budget.
The Minister was speaking at Punchestown yesterday, where he launched the book Peerless Punchestown - 150 Years of Glorious Tradition. The book was coauthored by the late Raymond Smith, who died earlier this month, and local historian Con Costelloe. The book marks Punchestown's 150th anniversary on the eve of the festival which starts on May 2nd.
