Sir, - Alan Dukes TD, supported by William Penrose TD, is quoted (Dail Report, May 18th) as accusing the Minister for Agriculture of "fobbing off" punters and racegoers with a forum (in place of the current seat on the Irish Horse Racing Authority Board) in the proposed Horse Racing in Ireland Authority. Mr Dukes echoes our own experience in attending one session of such a forum after the foundation of the IHA and that of the late, great Phil Bull (founder of Timeform), who described a similar arrangement in Britain as a "charade".
As the body which has promoted the interests of racegoers and punters since 1982, the Racing Club of Ireland has already stated that we will have nothing to do with such a charade here.
Let us remind Mr Walsh of his own words in a statement published in the Irish Field (and elsewhere) in October 1992 in relation to the then proposed IHA: "I personally believe that the interests of the regular racegoer - who after all is the ultimate consumer in racing - should be reflected on the board". What has changed? - Yours, etc.,
Kevin G. A. Smith, President, Racing Club of Ireland, Dublin.