Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

We are dealing with the statutory sub-committees of the board, the first of which is the race fixtures committee which is an existing committee. We are changing the composition. We are reducing the number of members from six to five. This is covered in section 6(1)(iv). We also say the chairman shall be appointed by HRI. That is a reasonably normal provision when a sub-committee of a board is being appointed, that the board appoint the chairman. Up to now the chairman was, as a matter of right, a member of the racing regulatory body. Under this provision a sub-committee will still have a racing regulatory body member, but HRI will determine who the chairman is. It could be a member of the Turf Club, but it could also be any other member of the sub-committee.

Section 6(1)(vi) provides that the membership of the race fixtures committee be limited to members of HRI. It seems to be a reasonable provision that if one has a sub-committee making recommendations to the overall board, the members of the sub-committee should, equally, be members of the board. There are some governance changes for the race fixtures committee.

The third item to which I wish to draw the attention of members is section 6(1)(xi), that HRI shall not be bound by any recommendation of the race fixtures committee and that the final decisions on race fixtures shall be taken by HRI. That is a reasonably normal governance procedure, that if one has a sub-committee of a board, it make recommendations to the board. We have a broadly representative board, with three ministerial members, three Turf Club members and representatives of the tracks, breeders, owners, trainers and betting industry employees.

There is a reasonably robust governance structure in place.