His words on the night echoed an oft-repeated affirmation of this and previous Government’s support for our sport and industry.

With the Betting Amendment Bill through the Dáil and on its way to being enacted shortly, it would be a mistake to assume that we are in some way home and hosed on the matter of funding and that the support of racing is secure. Unquestionably there is general agreement among members of the Dáil and from all sides within the Oireachtas that this is a vital industry but there is also a growing vocal opposition to, or at least a questioning of, the levels of support being given to racing.