DOCTORS COULD BRING IRISH RACING TO A HALT Irish racing is in big danger of coming to an abrupt halt early next month following the announcement before racing at Naas on Sunday afternoon that the 84 active members of the Racecourse Medical Officers Association (RMOA) will tender their resignation to the Executive with effect from April 6th.Under the current agreement there is always at least two doctors on duty at Irish race meetings earning a professional fee of ?254 per day. Dr David Molony, Chairman of the RMOA wants this increased. 'We want ?500 per day to cover increased costs. It's not all about money though as we are finding it increasingly difficult to attract new members under the present rate,' he said.Meanwhile Honorary Secretary Dr Adrian McGoldrick is frustrated with the breakdown of talks since the joint agreement expired on 31st December 2002.'We have been negotiating with A.I.R. (Association of Irish Racecourses) for well over 8 months and made it known beforehand that we were unhappy with the current conditions. We have got nowhere with them and it leaves us with no alternative but to tender our resignation with effect from April 6th.'Should this dispute not be settled it is highly likely that racing would be stopped indefinitely, according to Turf Club Medical Officer Dr Walter Halley, 'Racing couldn't go ahead without doctors on duty in the interests of the riders' safety.'
