Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I find this whole thing utterly demoralising. I do not think we are getting clarity. This meeting has probably resulted in more concern rather than answers.

Two contradictory things have been said. On the one hand, we have heard that the reason for the reappointment was that Mr. Kavanagh is the world's best in terms of horseracing and the world would not survive without him, but on the other there is an acknowledgment that there was a legal problem.

The real issue for me is neither of those things. Rather, it is corporate governance and the legal position outlined in the code of practice which states that the responsibility for the appointment, remuneration and succession planning for the chief executive is something reserved for the board. I have heard nothing that contradicts the evidence that the board was not given ownership of that process. The process was undertaken not by the board but by others outside it. In his dealings with the Department and the remuneration committee, there are minutes that show decisions were taken to exclude information from the board.

In terms of governance of an important body in receipt of State funds, if we do not learn lessons from this we will have serious problems with regard to how the board is constituted. I accept that many issues go back to 2011, but I am not getting the vibe that lessons have been learned.