Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for his statement. He seems to have acted quickly in Rio. Despite Mr. Justice Moran's fine forensic work, it is unfortunate, as the Minister said, that the report has been hampered by the absence of co-operation from key figures at the heart of this controversy. To complicate the investigation even further, there is an appalling lack of a paper trail related to the ticketing scandal. As Mr. Justice Moran noted, record keeping was very poor and, incredibly, lists, spreadsheets and further explanations were furnished by the OCI in the week that Mr. Justice Moran's report was finalised. This is unacceptable.

Mr. Pat Hickey has declined the invitation to appear before today's committee, so some of the clarity we need will not be forthcoming later today. However, it is interesting that Mr. Hickey still went on the record in a national newspaper on Monday, claiming there are significant inaccuracies in the report. He would do well to come in here and outline his position. Mr. Justice Moran noted that the OCI is a completely autonomous and independent body and resists all political, religious or commercial pressures. Unfortunately, this controversy appears to completely fly in the face of that spirit and ethos.

In chapter 11 of the report, regarding State funding of the OCI, Mr. Justice Moran says that the Sport Ireland 2016-2017 grant funding has yet to be released pending the conclusion of the inquiry. Is this situation having a negative impact, or is it likely to have a negative impact, on athletes preparations for the next Olympics?

On the documentation, that is, the lists and spreadsheets, furnished by the OCI in the week before the report was published, has that information been considered by the inquiry and if not, will it be?

In the absence of powers of compulsion, something at which the committee may have to look, what are the prospects of having Mr. Hickey, THG, Pro10, the OCI and the Rio Organising Committee of the Olympic Games - the five parties that chose not to co-operate with the committee - appear before it at a future date? Does the Minister have a view on the best way to approach the issue?

I am very disappointed by the Minister and cannot understand why the board allowed Mr. Hickey, as president, to act as though it were his personal fiefdom. It has been well documented. I understand the board has been reconstituted with new members, but there are many questions to be answered. The Minister has said sham or bogus companies do not deliver. Will he elaborate on what he said?