Mr. Phil Meaney:

I am really disappointed. We came here today to talk about Bord na gCon, the 2014 accounts, the setting up of a new executive and where we stand. It is of no significance what is my political persuasion. The Deputy has my permission to ask any board member or executive member whether I have ever brought politics into the IGB. While I may have had a joke with the Chairman earlier about political parties raising finances at greyhound stadia, I presume he realises that was with tongue in cheek. I do not bring politics to the greyhound board and when I say I do not allow anybody else to do it, that is not quite accurate. Nobody brings politics. Our remit is to try to turn this industry around. It is not about who put us there or how we got there. I will say it again in conclusion: I was willing - at every stage and I still am - to go through any process that I am asked to.