Greyhound Industry Act , 1958

PART I. Preliminary and General.

1. Short title.

2. Interpretation.

F1["Act of 2024" means the Gambling Regulation Act 2024;]

“ authorised coursing ground ” means a coursing ground at which authorised coursing meetings are held;

“ authorised coursing meeting ” means a coursing meeting authorised by the Club;

“ authorised officer ” means a person appointed in writing by the Board or the Club (as may be appropriate) to be an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act;

F1["betting licence" has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2024;]

F2[“betting office”means any premises at a greyhound race track in which betting is permitted by regulations undersection 32Dof this Act;]

F3[“Board”means Rásaoícht ConÉireann;]

“ the Club ” means the Irish Coursing Club;

“ course bet ” means—

(a)a bet entered into by a licensed bookmaker, during a greyhound race meeting held at a greyhound race track, on a greyhound race forming an item at that meeting, or

(b)a bet entered into by a licensed bookmaker, during an authorised coursing meeting (not being a meeting declared by the Board by regulations to be exempted as respects the levies provided for by this Act), on an event forming an item at that meeting;

“ course-betting permit ” has the meaning assigned to it in section 29;

“ the establishment day ” means the day appointed to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act by order of the Minister made under section 3 of this Act;

“ greyhound race ” means a greyhound race (including trial and schooling) in which an object propelled by mechanical means is pursued;

“ greyhound race track ” means a greyhound race track on which greyhound races are held for reward;

“ greyhound race track licence ” has the meaning specified in section 22;

F1["in-person and remote betting licence" has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2024;]

F1["in-person betting licence" has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2024;]

“licensed bookmaker” means a person who is for the time being the holder of a bookmaker's licence issued to him under the Betting Act, 1931 (No. 27 of 1931);

F1["licensed bookmaker" means a licensee (within the meaning of the Act of 2024) of an in-person betting licence or an in-person and remote betting licence for the time being in force under the Act of 2024 which licence authorises the licensee to act as a bookmaker (within the meaning of section 3 (2) of the Act of 2024);]

F3[“Minister”means Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine;]

F1["pool betting" has the same meaning as it has in the Act of 2024;]

“precincts” means, in relation to an authorised coursing ground, any place adjacent to that coursing ground to which the public habitually resort for the purpose of watching coursing;

“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Board under this Act;

F4["totalisator licence" means a betting licence to the extent that the licence authorises the licensee (within the meaning of the Act of 2024) of that licence to provide pool betting for an event, a series of events or a class of events;]

(2)A reference in this Act to a contravention of any provision includes, where appropriate, a reference to contravention of that provision by failing or refusing to comply therewith.

3. Establishment day.

4. Performance of functions of the Club.

(a)before the day appointed by the Minister under subsection (7) of section 26 of this Act—by the Standing Committee of the Club, and

(b)on and after that day—by the Executive Committee of the Club,

but, in the case of rules made under this Act, the rules shall not come into operation unless and until they are approved of at a general meeting of the Club.

5. Regulations and rules generally.

(a)the production of a document purporting to be a copy of any regulation made by the Board under this Act and to be certified to be a true copy by the chairman of the Board or the chief officer of the Board shall be sufficient evidence of the regulation and that any consultation requisite under this Act in relation thereto has been effected and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person certifying the document,

(b)the production of a document purporting to be signed by an officer of the Minister and certifying that any specified regulation made by the Board under this Act was made with the consent of the Minister shall be sufficient evidence that the regulation was made with the consent of the Minister and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person signing the document.

(2)In all legal proceedings—

(a)the production of a document purporting to be a copy of any rule made by the Club under this Act and to be certified to be a true copy by the president of the Club or the secretary of the Club shall be sufficient evidence of the rule and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person certifying the document,

(b)the production of a document purporting to be signed by the president of the Club or the secretary of the Club and certifying that any specified rule made by the Club under this Act came into operation on a specified day shall be sufficient evidence that the rule came into operation on that day and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person signing the document,

(c)the production of a document purporting to be signed by the chairman of the Board or the chief officer of the Board and certifying that any specified rule made by the Club under this Act was made with the consent of the Board shall be sufficient evidence that the rule was made with the consent of the Board and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position of the person signing the document.

(3)The Board may make regulations in relation to any matter or thing referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed.

(4)Every regulation made by the Board under this Act F5[or the Minister undersection 36(1A)] shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made, and if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(5)Every rule made by the Club under section 25 or section 37 of this Act and approved of as provided for by section 4 of this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is so approved of, and if a resolution annulling the rule is passed by either such House within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the rule is laid before it, the rule shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.

(6)Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or affecting the operation of section 4 of the Documentary Evidence Act, 1925 (No. 24 of 1925).

PART II. Bord na gCon.

6. Establishment of the Board.

(2)The Board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and an official seal (which shall be judicially noticed) and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to hold land.

7. F6[Constitution of Board.

(a) a chairperson, and

(b) 8 ordinary members, who have, in the opinion of the Minister, experience of or shown capacity in matters relevant to the functions of the Board.

(2) The Minister shall, insofar as practicable and having regard to the relevant experience of the persons concerned, ensure an equitable balance between men and women in the composition of the membership of the Board.]

8. F7[Members of Board.

(2) Of the ordinary members of the Board—

(a) one or more than one shall be a veterinary practitioner of at least 5 years standing, and

(b) one or more than one shall be a person with a detailed knowledge of the greyhound industry.

(3) The chairperson of the Board shall hold office for the period of 5 years from the date of his or her appointment.

(4) Subject tosubsection (4), an ordinary member of the Board shall hold office for the period of 3 years from the date of his or her appointment.

(5) On the commencement of section 9 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 any member of the Board with less than 3 years service on the Board from his or her first or subsequent appointment, shall continue as a member of the Board until he or she has served 3 years.

(6) A person who has served 2 consecutive terms of office as a member of the Board is not eligible for re-appointment.

(7) A member of the Board to whomsubsection (4)applies may, subject tosubsection (5), be eligible to be re-appointed as an ordinary member of the Board under this section.

(8) A member of the Board, subject to this Act, holds office upon such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration, expenses and allowances) as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, determines.

(9) If a member of the Board dies, resigns, ceases to be qualified for office and ceases to hold office, or is removed from office, the Minister may appoint a person to be a member of the Board to fill the casual vacancy so occasioned.

(10) A person appointed to be a member of the Board undersubsection (8)holds office for that period of the term of office of the member who occasioned the casual vacancy that remains unexpired at the date of his or her appointment and is eligible for reappointment as a member of the Board for one term of office on the expiry of that period.

(11) Where a member of the Board, whose term of office has expired, has not been reappointed or may not be reappointed by virtue of having served 2 consecutive terms, the member shall continue in office until the vacancy occasioned by him or her is filled by the appointment of another person.

(12) The Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership.]

9. F8[Conditions of office of members of Board.

(a) the member—

(i) becomes incapable through ill health of effectively performing his or her duties, or

(ii) breaches the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or other such codes or policy documents that may issue from time to time by a member of the Government,or

(b) the removal is necessary for the effective performance of the functions of the Board.

(2) A member of the Board may resign from office by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation takes effect when the Minister receives the letter.

(3) A member of the Board ceases to hold office if

(a)he or she is adjudicated bankrupt,

(b)he or she makes a composition or arrangement with a creditor,

(c)he or she is convicted of an offence under the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 or an offence involving cruelty to an animal or relating to animal welfare,

(d)he or she is the subject of an exclusion order,

(e)he or she is convicted of an indictable offence in relation to a company or an existing company (within the meaning of the Companies Act 2014),

(f)he or she is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty,

(g)he or she is sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction, or

(h)he or she is the subject of an order under section 842 of the Companies Act 2014.]

10. Meetings and procedure of the Board.

F9[(2)The quorum for a meeting of the Board is 6.]

(3)At a meeting of the Board—

(a)the chairman of the Board shall, if present, be chairman of the meeting,

(b)if and so long as the chairman of the Board is not present or if the office of chairman is vacant, the members of the Board who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

(4)Every question at a meeting of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question, and, in case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

(5)The Board may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.

(6)Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, the procedure and business of the Board.

11. Officers and servants of the Board.

(2) F10[…]

(3)The Board may at any time remove any officer or servant of the Board from being such officer or servant.

(4)There shall be paid by the Board to its officers and servants such remuneration and allowances as the Board may determine.

(5)An officer of the Board—

(a)shall not be beneficially interested in the ownership, control or operation of greyhound race tracks, the holding or conduct of public sales of greyhounds or the training of greyhounds for reward or in bookmaking, and

(b)when present on behalf of the Board at any race track meeting or coursing meeting, shall not engage in betting at the meeting or be beneficially interested in the ownership of a greyhound competing in a race or event at the meeting.

12. Offices of the Board.

(a)purchase or take on lease land,

(b)build, equip and maintain offices and premises.

(2)The Board may sell or lease any offices or premises held by it which are no longer required for the due performance of its functions.

13. Committees of the Board.

(2)The Board may delegate to a committee of the Board any of its functions which, in its opinion, can be better or more conveniently performed by a committee, and may regulate the procedure of any such committee.

(3)A committee of the Board shall consist of such number of members as the Board thinks proper and may, at the discretion of the Board, F11[include or consist of persons who are not members of the Board].

(4)The acts of a committee of the Board shall be subject to confirmation by the Board save where the Board dispenses with the necessity for such confirmation.

F12[(5)The Board shall decide the terms of reference of any committee of the Board.

(6)The Board may appoint a person to be chairman of a committee of the Board.

(7)A member of a committee of the Board who fails to perform his functions may be removed at any time by the Board.

(8)The Board may at any time dissolve a committee of the Board.

(9)There shall be paid out of the income of the Board to members of a committee of the Board such allowances for expenses incurred by them in the discharge of their functions as the Board may determine, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.]

14. Minutes.

15. Seal of the Board.

(2)The seal of the Board shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of the Board or some other member thereof authorised by the Board to act in that behalf and the signature of an officer of the Board authorised by the Board to act in that behalf.

16. Application of funds of the Board.

(a)the payment of expenses incurred by it in the exercise and performance of its powers and duties under this Act,

(b)the payment of any moneys in accordance with the terms of any totalisator licence held by it,

(c)the making of payments, grants or loans for all or any one or more of the following purposes:

(i)the increase of stake money and prizes at greyhound race meetings at greyhound race tracks and authorised coursing meetings,

(ii)the reduction of entry fees and similar charges in respect of greyhounds competing in events forming items at such meetings,

(iii)the carriage of greyhounds competing in such events,

(iv)the improvement of greyhound race tracks, authorised coursing grounds and the amenities thereof,

(v)the preservation of hares, and the care and management of hares in connection with authorised coursing meetings,

(vi)assisting the Club in the performance of its functions or contributing to the cost of schemes operated by the Club for the improvement and development of greyhound breeding and coursing,

(vii)any purpose conducive to the development of the export trade in greyhounds,

F13[(viii)any other purpose conducive to the improvement and development of the greyhound industry,

(ix)the enhancement of the health and welfare of greyhounds.]

(2)The Board may attach to any grant or loan made or proposed to be made by it under this section such conditions as the Board thinks proper.

17. Power of the Board to borrow.

18. Investment of funds of the Board.

18A. F15[Charges by Board

18A.—(1)The Board may make such charges, as it considers necessary and appropriate in consideration of—

(a)the performance by it of its functions,

(b)the provision by it of any service,

(c)the carrying on by it of any activities, and

(d)the application for or the granting of any greyhound race track licence or course-betting permit.

(2)The Board may recover as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction from any person by whom it is payable any amount due and owing undersubsection (1)of this section.]

18B. F16[Establishment of companies by Board.

18B.—(1)The Board may, either by itself or with another person, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, and subject to any conditions of either of those Ministers, promote and take part in the formation or establishment of a company under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999—

(a)to perform any of the functions conferred upon it by this Act, or

F17[(b)to provide pool betting in accordance with the terms of a totalisator licence held by the Board.]

(2)The Board may exercise total or partial control of the board of directors, by whatever name called, of a company of the Board that controls or manages the company.

(3)The memorandum and articles of association of a company shall be in such form consistent with this Act as may be approved of by the Board with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

(4)A company of the Board shall make such reports and in such manner for the Board as it may require.

(5)A company may enter into joint ventures with other persons.

(6)The chief officer of a company shall hold office on and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration) as may be approved of by the board of directors (or other authority, by whatever name called, that controls any such company) with the consent of the Board, the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

(7)In this section "company" means a company established under this section.]

18C. F18[Board may acquire, etc. shares in, and become member of, company.

18C.—The Board may, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, acquire, hold and dispose of shares or other interests in a company and become a member of a company (within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1999, or the laws of another jurisdiction corresponding to those Acts).]

18D. F19[Collection of fees and charges on behalf of Board.

18D.—(1)The Club shall, following a request in that behalf made by the Board, collect such fees, levies or charges in the name of the Board, as the Board may, from time to time, specify in such request.

(2)All sums collected under this section shall be paid to the Board in such manner and at such times as the Board may, in writing direct.]

19. Accounts and reports of the Board.

F20[19. —F21[(1) The Board and its subsidiaries shall keep in such form and in respect of such accounting periods as may be approved of by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, all proper and usual accounts of moneys received or expended by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet.]

(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted not later than 3 months after the end of the accounting period to which they relate by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the income and expenditure account, the balance sheet and such other (if any) accounts kept pursuant to this section as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, may direct and a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the accounts shall be presented to the Minister who shall cause copies thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(3) The chief executive officer of the Board shall, whenever required to do so by the Committee of Dáil Éireann established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, give evidence to that Committee on—

(a) the regularity and propriety of the transactions recorded or required to be recorded in any book or other record of account subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General which the Board is required by this Act to prepare,

(b) the economy and efficiency of the Board in the use of its resources,

(c) the systems, procedures and practices employed by the Board for the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of its operations, and

(d) any matter affecting the Board referred to in a special report of the Comptroller and Auditor General under section 11(2) of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993, or in any other report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (in so far as it relates to a matter specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)) that is laid before Dáil Éireann.]

19A. F22[Compliance by Bord na gCon with State Bodies Code of Practice

19A.(1)The Board shall, whenever so requested by the Minister, furnish to him or her, information in relation to such matters as he or she may specify concerning or relating to the scope of its activities (including its compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform or other such codes or policy documents that may issue from time to time by a member of the Government) or its strategy, generally or in respect of any account prepared by the Board undersection 19or the policy and activities, other than day to day activities, of the Board.

(2)The Minister may give a direction to the Board in relation to its compliance with a code or policy document referred to insubsection (1).

(3)The Minister may require the Board and the Club to agree procedures to ensure compliance with Government codes of practice, guidelines and policy documents and provision of financial and other information in relation to any matter funded by the Board.]

20. Totalisator licence.

(2) F23[…].

PART III. Greyhound Racing.

21. Restriction on operating greyhound race track.

F24[21. —(1) A person (other than the Board) shall not operate a greyhound race track except under a greyhound race track licence.

(2) A person who contravenessubsection (1)commits an offence and is liable—

(a) on summary conviction to a class A fine, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €250,000.]

22. Greyhound race track licences.

(2)Where—

(a)an application for a greyhound race track licence is made in respect of a greyhound race track which was affiliated to the Club in the year 1957, and

(b)the application is not made after a greyhound race track licence previously granted in respect of that track has been revoked,

the application shall be granted.

(3)Where the Board proposes to refuse an application for a greyhound race track licence, the Board shall serve notice of the proposal F25[and the reasons for the refusal] on the applicant and shall, if any representations are made in writing by the applicant within seven days, consider the representations.

(4)Where an individual who is the licensee under a greyhound race track licence dies, the licence shall devolve upon the legal personal representative of the individual as part of his personal estate and the legal personal representative shall become and be for all purposes the licensee under the licence.

(5)Where the greyhound race track to which a greyhound race track licence relates has been transferred to or becomes vested in a person other than the licensee under the licence, the Board may, if it so thinks fit, on the application of the licensee or the legal personal representative or the liquidator of the licensee, transfer the licence to the person to or in whom the greyhound race track has been transferred or become vested.

23. Conditions attached to greyhound race track licence.

(2)F26[Subject to the Act of 2024, the Board may], by notice served on the licensee under a greyhound race track licence—

(a)revoke any condition attached to the licence,

(b)vary any condition attached to the licence,

(c)attach any new condition to the licence.

(3)Different conditions may be attached under this section to different licences and, in particular, the conditions may include—

(a)conditions as to the days on and the times at which races may take place,

(b)conditions as to the number of persons performing particular classes of functions on greyhound race tracks who must be in attendance at races,

(c)conditions as to the provision of suitable facilities to enable authorised officers in attendance at races duly to perform their functions,

(d)F26[conditions as to permitting the Board, as the holder of a totalisator licence, to provide pool betting] on greyhound race tracks on such sites as the Board may decide to be suitable and, where they are set up, as to provision by licensees of suitable arrangements for bookmakers in places convenient and suitable for carrying on their business (such arrangements to be determined, in default of agreement between bookmakers and licensees, by the Board).

(4)The Board shall not, pursuant to a condition referred to in paragraph (d) of subsection (3) of this section, decide that a site is F26[suitable for providing pool betting] save after consultation with the licensee concerned.

(5)F27[…]

(6)Where the licensee under a greyhound race track licence does not comply with any condition attached to the licence, he shall, without prejudice to the power to suspend or revoke the licence, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a F28[class A fine].

24. Revocation or suspension of greyhound race track licence.

(a)the licensee under a greyhound race track licence fails to comply with a condition attached to the licence,

(b)the licensee under a greyhound race track licence is convicted of an offence under this Act, or

(c)the Board is satisfied that the greyhound race track to which a greyhound race track licence relates is conducted in a disorderly manner, is in a condition dangerous to persons frequenting the track or has ceased to be used for greyhound races,

the Board may, subject to subsection (2) of this section, suspend for such time as it thinks fit or revoke the licence.

(2)Where the Board proposes to suspend or revoke a greyhound race track licence, the Board shall serve notice of the proposal F29[and the reasons for the suspension or revocation] on the licensee and shall, if any representations are made in writing within seven days, consider the representations.

25. Regulations and rules in relation to greyhound race tracks.

(2)In particular and without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, regulations under this section may provide for—

(a)prohibiting persons from performing the functions of racing manager, handicapper, judge, steward, time-keeper or hare-driver on greyhound race tracks save under and in accordance with permits granted by the Board at its discretion,

(b)the making by the Board of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of such permits,

(c)the attachment of conditions to permits,

(d)the suspension and revocation of such permits,

(e)requiring the provision of persons to perform specified functions on greyhound race tracks and prohibiting greyhound races except when such persons and specified officers of the Board are in attendance,

(f)prohibiting persons performing specified classes of functions on greyhound race tracks from having any beneficial interest in the income of the respective greyhound race tracks or in the ownership of greyhounds raced thereon or from betting on greyhound races thereon,

(g)prohibiting licensees under greyhound race track licences and persons performing specified functions on greyhound race tracks from having any beneficial interest in bookmaking on the respective greyhound race tracks,

(h)the periods of the year during which greyhound races on greyhound race tracks may take place,

(i)the refusal of entries for races at greyhound race tracks in the case of greyhounds in respect of which disqualification orders under section 45 of this Act are in force,

(j)the procedure as to, and the conditions precedent to, the acceptance of greyhounds for, and their participation in, races at greyhound race tracks,

(k)the procedure as to the grading of greyhounds for participation in races at greyhound race tracks and the conditions precedent to their acceptance for, and their participation in, graded races,

(l)the publication, by licensees under greyhound race track licences, and sale of race cards for races at greyhound race tracks and the information to be given in the cards both as regards the greyhounds participating in races and otherwise,

(m)the keeping and the supervision of greyhounds immediately before and after their participation in races at greyhound race tracks,

(n)the manner of starting, operating the mechanism of, timing and judging of races at greyhound race tracks,

(o)the recording and publication by licensees under greyhound race track licences of information relating to the participation and performance (including behaviour) of greyhounds in races at greyhound race tracks,

(p)requiring the keeping in relation to greyhound race tracks of specified books, accounts and records,

(q)requiring the production of such books, accounts and records and permitting inspection of and taking of copies of or extracts from such books, accounts and records,

(r)requiring the furnishing to the Board of specified returns and information in relation to greyhound race tracks.

(3)Where, pursuant to paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of this section, the Board proposes to make regulations prohibiting persons performing any of the functions mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection from having any beneficial interest in the income of greyhound race tracks, the Board shall serve notice of the proposal on every licensee under a greyhound race track licence and shall, if any representations are made in writing by any such licensee within twenty-eight days, consider the representations.

(4)If, in relation to a greyhound race track, there is a contravention of any regulation under this section, the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(5)The Club may by rules make provision with respect to the use, management and control of greyhound race tracks and the conduct generally of greyhound races at such tracks.

(6)In particular and without prejudice to the generality of subsection (5) of this section, rules under this section may provide for—

(a)requiring the provision of persons to perform specified functions on greyhound race tracks and prohibiting greyhound races except when such persons and specified officers of the Club are in attendance,

(b)the periods of the year during which greyhound races on greyhound race tracks may take place,

(c)the refusal of entries for races at greyhound race tracks in the case of greyhounds in respect of which disqualification orders under section 45 of this Act are in force,

(d)the procedure as to, and the conditions precedent to, the acceptance of greyhounds for, and their participation in, races at greyhound race tracks,

(e)the procedure as to the grading of greyhounds for participation in races at greyhound race tracks and the conditions precedent to their acceptance for, and their participation in, graded races,

(f)the publication, by licensees under greyhound race track licences, and sale of race cards for races at greyhound race tracks and the information to be given in the cards both as regards the greyhounds participating in races and otherwise,

(g)the keeping and the supervision of greyhounds immediately before and after their participation in races at greyhound race tracks,

(h)the manner of starting, operating the mechanism of, timing and judging of races at greyhound race tracks,

(i)the recording and publication by licensees under greyhound race track licences of information relating to the participation and performance (including behaviour) of greyhounds in races at greyhound race tracks.

(7)If, in relation to a greyhound race track, there is a contravention of any rule under this section, the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(8)Rules under this section shall not be made before the day appointed by the Minister under subsection (7) of section 26 of this Act.

PART IV. The Irish Coursing Club.

26. The Irish Coursing Club.

(2)The Club is hereby recognised as being, subject to the provisions of this Act and of the constitution of the Club and subject to the general control and direction of the Board, the controlling authority for the breeding and coursing of greyhounds.

(3)The Board may advise and assist the Club in connection with any activities or measures conducive to the better implementation by the Club of its constitution and rules, to the better discharge by the Club of its functions or to the improvement and development of the greyhound industry.

(4)It shall be the duty of the Club to keep such books, accounts and records as may be approved of by the Board and to furnish to the Board such information in relation to the Club's activities as the Board may require.

(5)Rules made by the Club shall require the consent of the Board.

(6)During the period of three years beginning on the commencement of this section, appointments of members of the Executive Committee of the Club shall be carried out subject to the supervision of the Board.

(7)This section shall come into operation on such day after the establishment day as the Minister appoints by order.

PART V. Provisions Applicable to Bookmakers.

Chapter I.

27. Appointed day.

(2)References in this Chapter to the appointed day shall be construed as references to the day appointed by order under this section.

28. Prohibition of course betting by bookmakers not holding permits.

(2)If any person acts in contravention of this section, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F31[class A fine].

(3)Where, on or after the appointed day, a person who is not the holder of a course-betting permit is found carrying on the business of a bookmaker at any greyhound race track, any person acting under the direction of the Board or the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to such track may remove such first-mentioned person therefrom and for this purpose may use such force as may be reasonably necessary.

(4)Where, on or after the appointed day, a person who is not the holder of a course-betting permit is found carrying on the business of a bookmaker at any authorised coursing meeting, any person acting under the direction of the Board or the person holding such meeting may remove such first-mentioned person from the coursing ground and for this purpose may use such force as may be reasonably necessary.

29. Course-betting permits.

(2)The Board may at any time, subject to subsection (3) of this section, suspend for such time as it thinks fit or revoke a course-betting permit.

(3)Where the Board proposes to refuse an application for a course-betting permit or to suspend or revoke a course-betting permit, the Board shall serve notice of the proposal F32[and the reasons for the refusal, suspension or revocation] on the applicant or holder and shall, if any representations are made in writing by the applicant or holder within seven days, consider the representations.

(4)Where a person to whom a course-betting permit is granted ceases to be a licensed bookmaker, the course-betting permit shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed, by virtue of this subsection, to have been revoked upon such cesser.

30. Production of course-betting permits on demand.

(2)Whenever any person of whom the production of his course-betting permit is lawfully demanded under this section refuses or fails to produce such permit, or produces such permit but fails or refuses to permit the authorised officer of the Board making the demand to read and examine such permit, the authorised officer may demand of such person his name and address and if such person refuses to give his name or fails or refuses to give his address, or gives a name or address which is false or misleading, he shall be guilty of an offence.

(3)Any person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a F33[class B fine].

(4)A person who, when the production of his course-betting permit is lawfully demanded of him under this section, does not produce such permit because he is not the holder of a course-betting permit shall be deemed to fail to produce his course-betting permit within the meaning of this section.

Chapter II.

31. Commencement of subsequent sections of this Chapter etc.

32. F35[Levies payable by authorised bookmakers on bets.

32.—(1)(a)A licensed bookmaker who enters into a bet at a greyhound race track, on an event taking place there or elsewhere, other than by means of telecommunications from outside the race track, shall pay to the Board a levy on such bet.

(b)The rates of levy payable underparagraph (a)of this subsection shall be—

(i)in respect of a bet with a licensed bookmaker other than in a betting office and placed solely on a greyhound race taking place at the greyhound race track at which the bet is placed, zero per cent. or such other percentage of not more than 5 per cent. as the Board, with the consent of the Minister, may from time to time prescribe, or

(ii)in respect of all bets placed in a betting office at a greyhound race track and in respect of any bet placed at a greyhound race track where all or any part of that bet relates to an event being either a greyhound race or any other event taking place elsewhere, the same rate of levy as that rate of excise duty which would apply under section 24 of the Finance Act, 1926 (as amended by section 117 of the Finance Act, 1999 ), to such bet if it was placed other than at a greyhound race track.

(c)If the event the subject of a bet underparagraph (b)(i)of this subsection is determined in favour of the person with whom the bookmaker enters into the bet, the bookmaker shall, from the total amount which he would otherwise pay or credit to that person in respect of the bet, make a deduction calculated at the rate of percentage referred to in that subparagraph of that total amount.

(d)For the purposes of this section the amount of a bet shall be taken to be the sum which, by the terms of the bet, the bookmaker by whom it is entered into, will be entitled to receive, retain or take credit for if the event the subject of the bet, is determined in his favour.

(2)Subsection (1)(b)(ii)of this section shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may appoint by order.]

32A. F36[Turnover charge payable by authorised bookmakers on bets.

32A.—(1)A licensed bookmaker who enters into a bet at a greyhound race track, on an event taking place there or elsewhere, other than by means of telecommunications from outside the race track, the subject of levy under section 32 of the Act, shall pay to the Board a turnover charge on such bet.

(2) The rate of turnover charge payable undersubsection (1)of this section shall be—

(a)in respect of a bet with a licensed bookmaker other than in a betting office and placed solely on a greyhound race taking place at the track at which the bet is placed, 0.3 per cent. or such other percentage of not more than 2.5 per cent. as the Board, with the consent of the Minister, may from time to time prescribe, and

(b)in respect of all bets placed in a betting office and in respect of any bet placed at a greyhound race track where all or any part of that bet relates to an event being either a greyhound race or any other event taking place elsewhere, 0.3 per cent. or such other percentage standing specified under section 54D of the Irish Horseracing Industry Act, 1994.]

32B. F37[Flat rate charges payable by authorised bookmakers.

32B.—The Board may make such flat rate charges as it considers necessary and appropriate in respect of—

(a)a licensed bookmaker operating at a greyhound race track,

(b)a pitch held by a licensed bookmaker at a greyhound race track, or

(c)a betting office,

and different charges may be made in respect of different locations or greyhound race meetings held at greyhound race tracks having regard to the potential value of the location or meeting for the business of bookmaking.]

32C. F38[Suspension or revocation of course-betting permit if levy or charges are not paid.

32C.—(1)(a)A licensed bookmaker who fails or neglects to pay any sum payable by him in respect of a levy or charges due under this Act may have any permit granted to him undersection 29of this Act suspended or revoked by the Board.

(b)The Board may restore any such permit where it is satisfied that all arrears of levy and charges due under this Act (including interest at an appropriate percentage rate) have been paid.

(2)Every levy or charge payable by any person shall be recoverable from that person by the Board as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(3)(a)Where a licensed bookmaker is found not to have paid levy or charges due under this Act or not to have made proper returns to the Board in respect of such levy or charges or both for a period of one month, the Board may make an assessment of levy or charge due and may charge interest at an appropriate rate from the day on which any such levy or charge first became due and in doing so shall have regard to the level of interest rates generally in the State.

(b)(i)Subject tosubparagraph (ii)of this paragraph, interest at an appropriate percentage rate to be charged by the Board under this section shall be 10 per cent. per annum.

(ii) The Board may, with the consent of the Minister, if it is satisfied that the appropriate percentage rate for the time being standing specified in this section, ought, having regard to the level of rates of interest generally in the State, to be varied, by regulations vary the rate of interest so standing specified and this section shall have effect in accordance with the terms of any such regulations.

(4) (a) Whenever it is proved to the satisfaction of the Board that a bet in respect of which a levy or a charge is payable has become a void bet the Board may, subject to such conditions as it thinks fit to impose, either, as the case may require, repay the levy or charge paid or remit the levy or charge chargeable in respect of such bet.

(b) In this paragraph "void bet" means a bet placed either on a greyhound in a race at a race track or on another event which has been abandoned, declared void for any reason other than the mutual consent of the parties thereto or postponed to another day.]

32D.—(1)F40[Subject to this section and the Act of 2024, the Board may], by regulations, provide for—

(a)the permitting of licensed bookmakers to operate from betting offices at greyhound race tracks,

(b)the regulation of—

F40[ (i)the relevant betting activities (within the meaning of the Act of 2024) that may be made available at betting offices,]

(ii)the structure and location of betting offices,

(iii)the operation and opening hours of betting offices,

(iv)the persons who may be admitted to, or permitted to place bets at, betting offices,

(v)good order and conduct at betting offices.

F41[(1A) The Board shall consult with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland before making regulations undersubsection (1).]

F42[(2)Regulations made undersubsection (1)(b)(iii)of this section in respect of the opening hours of betting offices may permit betting offices to open for business any time at a greyhound race track—

F40[(a)on any day and during such hours that are not prescribed under section 176 (1) of the Act of 2024 as days or hours, or both, during which a licensee (within the meaning of the Act of 2024) of an in person gambling licence may not open a premises in respect of which the licence is held, and]

(b)on the day of greyhound races at the race track, also from the time the public are permitted admission to the race track and up to two hours after the conclusion at it of the last race where that would exceed the hours referred to in paragraph (a).]

(3)The Board may, where a licensed bookmaker has failed to comply with any regulations made under this section, suspend for such time as it thinks fit or revoke his course-betting permit.]

33. Regulations for payment of levies on course bets.

33. — F43[(1)The Board may make regulations for securing the payment of levy undersection 32of this Act or charges made undersection 32Aor32Bof this Act and generally for carrying the provisions of this Chapter in relation to such levies and charges into effect and in particular for—

(a)requiring bookmakers who are liable to pay such levy or charges—

(i)to enter, in the prescribed manner and at the prescribed time, particulars of all bets entered into at a greyhound race track in the prescribed records,

(ii)to retain the records for the prescribed time,

(iii)to send, on the request of the Board, the records to the Board for its inspection,

(iv)to furnish copies of the records to the Board at such time or times as may be prescribed;

(b)the supply, use and supervision of levy or charge paid betting sheets and the making of refunds in respect of unused or partly used such sheets;

(c)entering into arrangements by the Board with and taking security from bookmakers desiring to pay levy or charges on the basis of returns furnished by them;

(d)the granting to bookmakers by the Board of remissions or refunds (as the case may require) of a levy or charge in cases in which the whole or any part of the contingent liability of a bookmaker in respect of a bet made, laid or otherwise entered into by him at a greyhound race track is shown to the satisfaction of the Board to have been transferred to another bookmaker by means of a fresh bet made, laid or otherwise entered into by the first-mentioned bookmaker with the second-mentioned bookmaker.

(1A)A person who, without reasonable excuse, contravenes any regulation made under this section may have any course-betting permit granted to him suspended or revoked by the Board.]

(2) If any person—

(a) contravenes a regulation under this section, or

(b) makes, in any record kept in pursuance of any regulation under this section, any false entry with regard to a course bet, that person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(3) Regulations for the purposes of this section shall require the consent of the Minister.

34. Inspection of document in bookmakers' premises.

(2)Every person who resists, obstructs or impedes an authorised officer of the Board in the exercise of any power conferred on him by this section or refuses without lawful or sufficient excuse to produce any document which he is required by an authorised officer of the Board under this section to produce shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F44[class A fine].

35. Inspection of books, etc.

(2)Every person who fails or refuses to do anything which he is required under subsection (1) of this section by an authorised officer of the Board to do shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a F45[class A fine].

PART VI. Miscellaneous.

36. Regulations in relation to coursing.

F47[(1A)(a)The Minister may make regulations providing for—

(i) the muzzling of greyhounds participating in events, and the manner of, and the type of muzzle to be used for, such muzzling,

(ii) prohibiting the participation of a greyhound in an event if it is not muzzled or if the muzzling of the greyhound does not comply with the regulations,

(iii) the supervision by a veterinary surgeon of hares coursed in events prior to, during and after the events,

(iv) the marking, before their release into the wild, of hares after an authorised coursing meeting of such kind as the Minister may specify in the regulations,

(v) prohibiting the coursing of a hare in an event if the hare has been coursed in an event at a prior authorised coursing meeting of such kind as the Minister may specify in the regulations,

(vi) prohibiting the coursing of a hare in an event if it is not fit to be coursed, and

(vii) the giving by a veterinary surgeon of a direction—

(I) prohibiting the participation of a greyhound in an event if he considers that the muzzling of the greyhound does not comply with the regulations,

(II) prohibiting the coursing of a hare in an event if he considers that the hare has been coursed in an event at a prior authorised coursing meeting of such kind as the Minister may specify in the regulations, or

(III) prohibiting the coursing of a hare in an event if he considers that the hare is not fit to be coursed.

(b)In this subsection—

“event”means an event forming an item at an authorised coursing meeting of such kind as the Minister may specify in the regulations and includes a pre-coursing trial of such kind as may be specified by the Minister in the regulations, and

“veterinary surgeon”means a registered veterinary surgeon within the meaning of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1931.]

F48[(2)If, in relation to an authorised coursing meeting, there is a contravention of a regulation under this section or a direction under such a regulation, the person holding the meeting and, if the direction relates to a greyhound, the owner of the greyhound shall be liable on summary conviction to aF49[class A fine]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.]

37. Training of greyhounds for reward.

(2)Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for—

(a)prohibiting persons from training greyhounds for reward save under and in accordance with licences granted by the Board at its discretion,

(b)the making by the Board of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of licences,

(c)the attachment of conditions to licences,

(d)the suspension and revocation of such licences,

(e)the keeping of records by licensees and the production of such records for inspection and taking of copies or extracts by authorised officers of the Board,

(f)the furnishing of information to the Board by licensees.

(3)A person who contravenes a regulation under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(4)The Club may make rules for the control of the training of greyhounds for reward.

(5)Rules under this section may, in particular, make provision for—

(a)prohibiting persons from training greyhounds for reward save under and in accordance with licences granted by the Club at its discretion,

(b)the making by the Club of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of licences,

(c)the attachment of conditions to licences,

(d)the suspension and revocation of licences,

(e)the keeping of records by licensees and the production of such records for inspection and taking of copies or extracts by authorised officers of the Club,

(f)the furnishing of information to the Club by licensees.

(6)A person who contravenes a rule under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

(7)Rules under this section shall not be made before the day appointed by the Minister under subsection (7) of section 26 of this Act.

38. Public sales of greyhounds.

(2)Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for—

(a)prohibiting persons from holding public sales of greyhounds save under and in accordance with licences granted by the Board at its discretion,

(b)the making by the Board of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of licences,

(c)the attachment of conditions to licences,

(d)the suspension and revocation of licences,

(e)the keeping of records by licensees and the production of such records for inspection and taking of copies or extracts by authorised officers of the Board,

(f)the furnishing of information to the Board by licensees,

(g)the procedure as to, and the conditions precedent to, the acceptance of greyhounds for sale.

(h)the prohibiting of persons from acting as auctioneers at sales save under and in accordance with permits granted by the Board at its discretion or when otherwise approved of by the Board, or save when appointed by the Board as auctioneers,

(i)the making by the Board of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of permits,

(j)the attachment of conditions to permits,

(k)the suspension and revocation of permits,

(l)the publication by persons holding public sales of greyhounds of catalogues of sales and the information to be given therein both as regards greyhounds for sale and otherwise,

(m)the recording and publication by persons holding public sales of greyhounds of information relating to the results of sales,

(n)the furnishing of documents (including certificates and guarantees) to persons purchasing greyhounds at sales.

(3)An application for a licence, permit or approval under regulations under this section shall be in the prescribed form and the Board shall consider and make a decision on the application as soon as may be after it is received.

(4)A person who contravenes a regulation under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

39. Artificial insemination of greyhounds.

(2)Regulations under this section may, in particular, make provision for—

(a)prohibiting persons from engaging in the artificial insemination of greyhounds save under and in accordance with licences granted by the Board at its discretion,

(b)the making by the Board of charges in respect of the grant, retention or renewal of licences,

(c)the attachment of conditions to licences,

(d)the suspension and revocation of licences,

(e)the keeping of records by licensees and the production of such records for inspection and taking of copies or extracts by authorised officers of the Board,

(f)the furnishing of information to the Board by licensees.

(3)A person who contravenes a regulation under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

40. Regulations in relation to totalisators.

(2)The Board may, with the consent of the Minister, make regulations providing for the sums and levies to be collected by the Board F53[out of moneys staked by means of pool betting provided by the Board].

(3)The Board may make regulations for regulating and controlling the use by the public of F53[pool betting provided by the Board].

(4)Any sums charged by the Board pursuant to regulations under subsection (1) of this section may, in default of payment, be recovered as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(5)F54[…]

(6)F54[…]

41. Export of greyhounds.

42. Power of the Board to establish greyhound race tracks.

(2)The Board may operate any greyhound race track maintained by it under this section.

(3)The Board may lease any greyhound race track established under this section.

(4)The Board may sell or lease any land acquired by it under this section which is no longer required for the purposes for which it was acquired.

43. Investigations by the Board and the Club.

(2)Where the Board intends to have any matter connected with the breeding, registration, identification or coursing of greyhounds or any matter within the scope of rules made by the Club relating to greyhound racing or to the training of greyhounds for reward investigated pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the Board shall notify such intention to the Club.

(3)The Club may cause any occurrence brought to its notice in relation to any matter connected with the breeding, registration, identification or coursing of greyhounds or any matter within the scope of rules made by the Club relating to greyhound racing or to the training of greyhounds for reward to be investigated in such manner as the Club thinks proper.

(4)If a matter is being investigated at the instance of the Board, it shall not be investigated at the instance of the Club and, if the matter is already the subject of an investigation at the instance of the Club, the latter investigation shall cease.

(5)The Club shall communicate to the Board, if so requested, the result of any investigation made at the instance of the Club.

(6)For the purposes of an investigation under this section, the person conducting the investigation may, by notice served on any person, require that person to furnish to him any information which he may reasonably consider necessary and specifies in the notice.

(7)A person who—

(a)fails or refuses to furnish any information within his knowledge which he is required to furnish under this section, or

(b)in furnishing any such information, furnishes information which, to his knowledge, is false or misleading in any material particular,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F56[class C fine].

(8)The Board may publish in any manner which it considers proper the result of any investigation made under this section.

(9)The Club may publish in any manner which it considers proper the result of any investigation made under this section in relation to any matter connected with the breeding, registration, identification or coursing of greyhounds or any matter within the scope of rules made by the Club relating to greyhound racing or to the training of greyhounds for reward.

44. Investigations by authorised officers.

(2)An authorised officer F58[of the Club] present at any authorised coursing meeting may (subject to production by him if so required of his appointment) investigate any occurrence observed by him or brought to his notice in relation to any event, or the performance (including behaviour) of any greyhound in an event, forming an item at the meeting.

(3)For the purposes of an investigation under this section, an authorised officer may—

(a)require any person to give to him any information which he may reasonably consider necessary, and

(b)give such directions and require such facilities as he may reasonably consider necessary (including directions and facilities as to the examination of greyhounds and the detention under specified control for any purpose of greyhounds or of documents relating thereto).

(4)A person who—

(a)obstructs or impedes the exercise of any power conferred by this section,

(b)fails or refuses to give to an authorised officer any information within his knowledge which the officer requires under this section,

(c)in giving any such information, gives information which, to his knowledge, is false or misleading in any material particular, or

(d)fails or refuses to comply with any direction or requisition of facilities given or made by an authorised officer under this section,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F59[class C fine].

45. Disqualification orders.

46. Power of entry and inspection.

47. Exclusion orders.

(2) F63[…]

(3) F63[…]

(4) F63[…]

(5) F63[…]

(6)Where an exclusion order is made by the Club, the Club—

(a)shall cause notice of the making of the order to be served on the person to whom the order applies, and

(b)may cause notice of the making of the order to be served on any other persons whom the Club thinks proper to be notified.

(7) F63[…]

(8)Where a person to whom an exclusion order applies is found at any authorised coursing meeting, any person acting on the direction of the person holding the meeting may remove such first-mentioned person from the coursing ground and for this purpose may use such force as may be reasonably necessary.

(9)Where a person to whom an exclusion order applies is found at any public sale of greyhounds, any person acting under the direction of the person conducting the sale may remove such first-mentioned person therefrom and for this purpose may use such force as may be reasonably necessary.

48. Fixing of certain charges.

(2)Where regulations under subsection (1) of this section fix, in relation to a greyhound race track or part thereof, maximum charges in respect of bookmakers carrying on their business which are more than five times the maximum charges fixed, in relation to the track or part, by the regulations (or by other regulations for the time being in force) in respect of persons who are not such bookmakers, the regulations shall require the consent of the Minister.

(3)Where regulations under subsection (1) of this section fix, in relation to a greyhound race track on which the Board maintains a totalisator or to part of such track, maximum charges in respect of bookmakers carrying on their business, the charges shall be so fixed as not to exceed ten times the charges fixed by the regulations (or by other regulations for the time being in force) in respect of persons who are not bookmakers or, in case regulations under subsection (7) of this section for the time being in force fix a minimum charge in relation to the track or part, the aggregate of ten times the said charges in respect of persons who are not bookmakers and that minimum charge.

(4)Notwithstanding that regulations under subsection (1) of this section fix, in relation to a greyhound race track or part thereof, maximum charges in respect of bookmakers carrying on their business, any bookmaker may, with his consent, be charged, for admission to the track or part, a charge exceeding that which would be appropriate in accordance with the regulations, and such charge shall not constitute a contravention of the regulations.

(5)The Board may by regulations fix the maximum charges to be made at greyhound race tracks for race cards.

(6)The Board may by regulations fix the maximum entry fees in respect of greyhounds competing at events at race meetings at greyhound race tracks and different fees may be fixed in respect of different tracks and in respect of different meetings and events at the same track.

(7) (a)The Board may by regulations fix the minimum charges to be made for admitting bookmakers carrying on their business to greyhound race tracks and different charges may be fixed in respect of different tracks and different parts of the same track.

(b)Regulations under this subsection shall not be made in relation to a greyhound race track or part thereof unless regulations under subsection (1) of this section are made at the same time (or have been made previously) in relation to the track or part.

(c)The operation of regulations under this subsection shall stand suspended during any period while sections 32 to 35 of this Act are in operation.

(d)Where—

(i)a charge for admitting a bookmaker carrying on his business to a greyhound race track is made, and

(ii)regulations under this subsection are for the time being in operation,

the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track shall pay to the Board a sum equal to the minimum charge for the admission which is appropriate in accordance with the regulations.

(8)The Board may, after consultation with the Club, by regulations fix the maximum charges to be made for admitting persons to authorised coursing meetings and different charges may be fixed in respect of different meetings, in respect of different parts of the same coursing ground and in respect of bookmakers carrying on their business and persons who are not such bookmakers.

(9)Where regulations under subsection (8) of this section fix, in relation to an authorised coursing meeting, maximum charges in respect of bookmakers carrying on their business which are more than five times the maximum charges fixed, in relation to the meeting, by the regulations (or by other regulations for the time being in force) in respect of persons who are not such bookmakers, the regulations shall require the consent of the Minister.

(10)The Board may, after consultation with the Club, by regulations fix the maximum entry fees in respect of greyhounds competing at events at authorised coursing meetings and different fees may be fixed in respect of different coursing grounds and in respect of different meetings and events at the same coursing ground.

(11) (a)The Board may by regulations fix the minimum charges to be made for admitting bookmakers carrying on their business to authorised coursing meetings and different charges may be fixed in respect of different meetings and different parts of the same coursing ground.

(b)Regulations under this subsection shall not be made in relation to an authorised coursing meeting unless regulations under subsection (8) of this section are made at the same time (or have been made previously) in relation to the meeting.

(c)The operation of regulations under this subsection shall stand suspended during any period while sections 32 to 35 of this Act are in operation.

(d)Where—

(i)a charge for admitting a bookmaker carrying on his business to an authorised coursing meeting is made, and

(ii)regulations under this subsection are for the time being in operation,

the person holding the meeting shall pay to the Board a sum equal to the minimum charge for the admission which is appropriate in accordance with the regulations.

(12)The Board, after consultation with the Club, may by regulations fix the maximum charges to be made at authorised coursing meetings for programmes and different charges may be fixed in respect of different meetings.

(13)The Board may by regulations fix the maximum charges to be made for admitting persons to public sales of greyhounds and different charges may be fixed in respect of different sales.

(14)The Board may by regulations fix the maximum charges to be made for catalogues at public sales of greyhounds and different charges may be fixed in respect of different sales.

(15)Every person who fails or neglects to pay any sum payable by him under paragraph (d) of subsection (7) or paragraph (d) of subsection (11) of this section shall, without prejudice to proceedings under subsection (17) or (18) of this section, be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a F64[class B fine].

(16)Every sum payable by any person under paragraph (d) of subsection (7) or paragraph (d) of subsection (11) of this section shall, in default of payment and without prejudice to proceedings under subsection (17) or (18) of this section, be recoverable by the Board as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(17)If, in relation to a greyhound race track, there is a contravention of any regulation under subsection (1), (5), (6) or (7)of this section, the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F65[class A fine].

(18)If, in relation to an authorised coursing meeting, there is a contravention of any regulation under subsection (8), (10), (11) or (12) of this section, the person holding the meeting shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F65[class A fine].

(19)If, in relation to a public sale of greyhounds there is a contravention of any regulation under subsection (13) or (14) of this section, the person conducting the sale shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds.

49. Fixing of Stake money and prizes.

(2)If, in relation to a greyhound race track, there is a contravention of any regulation or notice under subsection (1) of this section, the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a F66[class A fine].

(3)Where stake money and prizes are fixed under this section by notice, the notice shall relate to a particular greyhound race track and shall be served on the licensee under the greyhound race track licence relating to the track.

50. Appeal Committee.

(a)section 49 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 pertaining to decisions of the Control Committee, and

(b)section 51 pertaining to decisions of the Board.

(1A)The members of the Appeal Committee who held office immediately before the commencement of section 50 of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 cease to hold office upon such commencement but any such member is eligible to be reappointed as a member of the committee under this section.]

(2)The Appeal Committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) a chairman who shall be a Judge of the Supreme Court, F69[Court of Appeal,] High Court or Circuit Court or a practising barrister or solicitor of seven years' standing at least, and

(b)two ordinary members.

F70[(2A)A member of the Board, an office holder in the Club or member of the Control Committee shall not be a member of the Appeal Committee.]

(3)The members of the Appeal Committee shall be appointed by the Minister and shall be eligible for reappointment.

F71[(4)A member of the Appeal Committee may—

(a)by letter addressed to the Minister resign his or her membership and the resignation takes effect when the Minister receives the letter, or

(b)at any time be removed from office by the Minister if, in the opinion of the Minister, he or she has become incapable through ill-health of effectively performing his or her functions or has committed stated misbehaviour.]

(5)The term of office of a member of the Appeal Committee shall, unless terminated by death or resignation, be five years or, in the case of a member filling a vacancy caused by the death or resignation of a member, the remainder of the term of office of such last-mentioned member.

F72[(5A)A member of the Appeal Committee may serve a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.

(5B)Where a member of the Board, whose term of office has expired, has not been reappointed or may not be reappointed by virtue of having served 2 consecutive terms, the member shall continue in office until the vacancy occasioned by the expiration of his or her term of office is filled by the appointment of another person.]

(6)The quorum of the Appeal Committee shall be the chairman and one ordinary member.

(7)The Appeal Committee may act notwithstanding one vacancy among its ordinary members.

(8)An appeal to the Appeal Committee shall not be determined in favour of the appellant unless two members at least of the Appeal Committee are in favour of that determination.

F73[(9)A member of the Appeal Committee (other than a judge) shall be paid by the Board such remuneration (if any) and allowances for expenses (if any) as the Board with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform determines.

(10)The Board shall provide the secretarial and executive functions necessary to serve the work of the Appeal Committee.]

51. Appeals.

(a) a greyhound race track licence,

(b) a permit referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 25 of this Act,

(c) a course-betting permit,

(d) a permit referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 36 of this Act,

(e) a licence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 37 of this Act,

(f) a licence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 38 of this Act,

(g) a permit or approval referred to inparagraph (h) of subsection (2) of section 38 of this Act, or

(h) a licence referred to in paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 39 of this Act,

is refused, or, in the case of a licence or permit, is revoked or suspended, the applicant, licensee or permit holder may, within the period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the Board decides on the refusal, revocation or suspension and subject to subsection (8) of this section, appeal in writing to the Appeal Committee against the refusal, revocation or suspension.

(2) Where a regulation referred to in paragraph (f) of subsection (2) of section 25 of this Act is made, a licensee of a greyhound race track may, within the period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the regulation is made and subject to subsection (8) of this section, appeal in writing to the Appeal Committee against the regulation.

(3)On an appeal under this section, the Appeal Committee, after considering the refusal, suspension, revocation or regulation to which the appeal relates and after conducting any investigations, inquiries and hearings which they consider necessary, shall either refuse the appeal or—

(a)in the case of an appeal against the refusal of a licence, permit or approval, direct the Board (who shall comply with the direction) to grant a licence, permit or approval,

(b)in the case of an appeal against a revocation or suspension of a licence or permit, annul the revocation or suspension, and

(c)in the case of an appeal against a regulation, direct the Board (who shall comply with the direction) to revoke the regulation.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, where a licence or permit referred to in that subsection is refused, revoked or suspended or an approval referred to in that subsection is refused—

(a) notice of the refusal, revocation or suspension shall be served on the applicant, licensee or permit holder within the period of seven days beginning on the day on which the Board decides on the refusal, revocation or suspension,

(b)in the case of a revocation or suspension, the revocation or suspension shall be expressed (and, subject to subsection (6) of this section, shall have effect accordingly) as coming into operation on a specified day after the expiration of the period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the Board decides on the revocation or refusal.

(5)For the purposes of subsection (2) of this section, where a regulation referred to in that subsection is made—

(a)notice of the regulation shall be served on every licensee under a greyhound race track licence within the period of seven days beginning on the day on which the regulation is made,

(b)the regulation shall be expressed (and, subject to subsection (7) of this section, shall have effect accordingly) as coming into operation on a specified day after the expiration of the period of twenty-one days beginning on the day on which the regulation is made.

(6)Where—

(a) an appeal is taken under this section against the revocation or suspension of a licence or permit, and

(b)on the day on which the revocation or suspension is expressed as coming into operation, the appeal has not been withdrawn or determined,

the operation of the revocation or suspension shall stand suspended until (as may be appropriate) the appeal is withdrawn or refused or the revocation or suspension is annulled by the Appeal Committee.

(7)Where—

(a)an appeal is taken under this section against a regulation, and

(b)on the day on which the regulation is expressed as coming into operation, either the appeal has not been withdrawn or determined or, in the case in which the appeal has been determined by direction of the Appeal Committee for revocation of the regulation, such revocation has not been effected,

the operation of the regulation shall stand suspended until (as may be appropriate) the appeal is withdrawn or refused or the regulation is revoked by direction of the Appeal Committee.

(8)An appeal under this section shall be accompanied by the sum of five pounds which shall be held by the Appeal Committee until disposed of as follows:

(a)in case the appeal is withdrawn or is determined in favour of the appellant, it shall be returned to the appellant,

(b)in case the appeal is refused, it shall be paid to and retained by the Board.

(9)At a hearing conducted by the Appeal Committee in relation to an appeal under this section—

(a)the appellant may appear in person or by counsel, solicitor or agent,

(b)the Board may appear by counsel or solicitor or by an officer of the Board,

(c)any witness may, if the chairman of the Appeal Committee thinks fit, be examined on oath (which the chairman is hereby empowered to administer).

52. Prosecution of offences.

(2)The following offences may be prosecuted by the Club:

(a)an offence under section 25 or section 37 of this Act consisting of a contravention of a rule under the section,

(b)an offence under section 43 of this Act in relation to an investigation at the instance of the Club,

(c)an offence under section 44 or section 46 of this Act in relation to an authorised officer of the Club.

(3)A prosecution for an offence under this Act may, in the case of a club, be brought against the club in the name under which it is commonly known, and any summons or other document required to be served on the club may be served on the secretary of the club and any warrant for the recovery of a fine imposed on the club may be executed against the goods and chattels of the club.

53. Service of documents.