Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This returns me to the point that the people charged with responsibility for this appointment were the members of the board. I have not heard enough today to reassure me that the board members took the primary decision or were kept up to speed about matters. In response to my earlier question on the 2014-15 period, Mr. Keeling stated the issue of Mr. Kavanagh's appointment was discussed repeatedly at the board. We know Horse Racing Ireland was in detailed correspondence with the Department at the time. How many times was the issue discussed by the board? Did it discuss the idea of appointing a chief executive officer by means of an open competition? Did someone ask what would happen if Mr. Kavanagh was not reappointed and were alternatives to his reappointment considered? How many times was the matter discussed? Are these discussions formally reflected in the minutes of the board's meetings? It is the legal responsibility of the board to deal with this matter and a problem arises if it did not deal with it.