Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Brian Kavanagh was first appointed chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland in 2001 and his term should have ended in 2008. Horse Racing Ireland was either extremely unlucky or grossly incompetent in this regard. Mr. Kavanagh's appointment was extended to 2009 and again subsequently to 2011. As a barrister, it is clear to me that the game was over in 2011. The best county manager in the country might have an eight-year contract extended by three years. The game was over in 2008 and at that point Horse Racing Ireland should have advertised or negotiated with the same person but the term of the CEO was extended until 2011. I expect someone wanted the contract to start again in 2011 and continue until 2019. Instead, it commenced in 2009 and continued until 2016. Will the witnesses assure us that Horse Racing Ireland will have everything in place to ensure this shambles does not reoccur?