An opinion poll conducted by radio station, Cork’s 96FM, has shown that a massive 86% majority want the government to stop funding cruel greyhound racing. During a discussion about greyhound racing on the “Opinion Line” show on 17th December, listeners were asked “should taxpayers' money be used to back greyhound racing?”. The poll result (14% in favour of the funding, 86% against) was based on responses received via text message, Twitter and WhatsApp. Listen to the show at
Comments from listeners included: “Greyhound racing has massive cruelty issues which RTE highlighted perfectly and it certainly dispelled the myth that the greyhounds are all well loved & looked after. Stop funding this barbaric practice, using money that could be used in a much better way on public services etc” and “Another poll showing the overwhelming majority are AGAINST public funding of the industry. With such a clear public opinion, why are TDs not representing their constituents wishes?”
The Cork’s 96FM poll is the latest to show that most people want the funding to end.
In September, a RED C opinion poll commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports and Greyhound Action Ireland found that two out of every three Irish adults agree that the government should stop funding greyhound racing. [66% Agree, 16% Disagree, 18% Don't Know. Of those stating an opinion, 80% of these agree that the Irish Government should stop funding greyhound racing while 20% disagree.]
Previously, an opinion poll carried out by TheJournal.ie found that an 80 per cent majority want the government to end the grants.
Petitions urging the government to stop the funding have been signed over 300,000 times.
It is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE that scarce public funds have been pumped into greyhound racing. It is time for this to be stopped and for the money to be redirected to the many deserving causes crying out for funding.
Since 2001, the Irish Government has paid out more a quarter of a billion euros to greyhound racing, including €16.8 million for 2019 and another €16.8 million for 2020.
Irish Government grants to greyhound racing
2001 €11,777,583
2002 €13,613,163
2003 €12,837,200
2004 €13,382,800
2005 €13,670,000
2006 €14,012,000
2007 €14,572,000
2008 €15,257,000
2009 €13,625,600
2010 €11,852,800
2011 €11,460,000
2012 €11,258,000
2013 €11,004,000
2014 €10,844,000
2015 €13,600,000
2016 €14,800,000
2017 €16,000,000
2018 €16,000,000
2019 €16,800,000
2020 €16,800,000
Total: €273 million (€0.273 Billion)
ACTION ALERT
Say NO to the cruel greyhound industry - don't attend greyhound races or fundraisers/hen parties/Christmas parties held at greyhound tracks
STOP THE STATE FUNDING FOR GREYHOUND RACING
A majority of Irish citizens want funding to greyhound racing to stop. It’s time for the government to listen to the people, stop the funding and divert the money to the many deserving charities, health and homeless groups, sports clubs, animal rescue centres, etc crying out for funding.
Contact Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe now and demand an end to state funding to horse and greyhound racing.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Leave a comment on Facebook:
Paschal Donohoe TD
Minister for Finance
Email: paschal.donohoe@oireachtas.ie; minister@per.gov.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1 6045810
Leave a comment on Facebook:
Tweet to @Paschald
Email “Please stop government grants to greyhound racing” to all TDs. Visit the Oireachtas website for more telephone numbers and other contact details for TDs
Please sign and share petitions
Ireland - Ban cruel hare coursing
www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing
Irish Government: Stop Giving Millions of Euro to Cruel Greyhound Industry
Stop supporting the cruel greyhound industry
GAA: Stop club fundraisers at greyhound tracks
Tell Gain Pet Nutrition to Stop Sponsoring Greyhound Racing
Watch RTE Investigates: Greyhounds Running for Their Lives to witness the horrors of greyhound racing
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