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Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, was speaking and presenting prizes at the Ladbrokes.com Irish Greyhound Derby Final which took place at Shelbourne Park.

The Minister of State said "The success of this event and its international standing are a strong testament to the tireless commitment of greyhound owners, trainers, breeders, sponsors and not least the board and executive of Bord na gCon", he added that "the Irish Greyhound Derby is not only Ireland’s most prestigious greyhound race it is also one of the most significant races in the world."

Minister McEntee pointed out that The Irish Greyhound Derby began in 1928, just one year after greyhound racing was introduced into Ireland in 1927, Shelbourne Park has been the permanent home of the Derby since 1970.

The Minister of State recalled "the excitement of the 2010 Derby, the wonderful success enjoyed by the Fahy family and Paul Hennessy when Tyrur McGuigan and Tyrur Big Mike secured a 1-2 finish with Tyrur McGuigan recording the fastest Derby Final finishing time (29.41 seconds) over 550yds". The Minister noted "This year six dogs will compete for the title in the richest dog race in the world. The prize money on offer is 1^st €120,000; 2^nd €20,000; 3^rd €10,000 and €5,000 each for unplaced finalists". Minister of State McEntee also expressed his appreciation of the very generous sponsorship provided by Ladbrokes for the Derby Final which pays a total of €220,500 in prize money.

The Minister of State praised the dogs competing on the day stating that "these outstanding dogs have performed heroics in order to reach this illustrious final". He applauded them for the "thrill and surprises" that they provided spectators with on their journey to the final.

The Minister of State also re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to the development of the greyhound racing industry in Ireland – "by the end of 2010, BNG had received almost €135 million from the Fund and it will receive €11.46 million from the Fund in 2011". He referred to the important economic contribution made by the greyhound industry and the fact that it injects "an estimated €500 million in economic output in to local economies around the tracks which have a wide geographic spread and employs over 10,300 people".

Minister of State McEntee took the opportunity to "wish Mr Phil Meaney every success in his role as Chairman of Board na gCon", a position Mr Meaney assumed in April 2011.