John O'Mahony (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the representatives from Sport Ireland and the OCI for coming before the committee and for their presentations. This is the first time Sarah Keane has been before us as president of the OCI. I am unsure as to whether I should congratulate or sympathise with her on the onerous task for which she assumed responsibility in February. In any event, I wish her well in the reforms and I note the many efforts she has made to introduce those reforms. I wish her well in dealing with those issues.

I have many questions to ask. In the interests of efficiency, I will go through them now rather than commenting. Then, if I have to come back in later, I will do so.

The Moran report makes reference to the two executives - the previous iteration and the current one. Am I correct in stating that four members on the current executive were on the previous one as well? This seems to be the case from the list of names that has resurfaced. There were three resignations from the OCI in the early stages of these events unfolding. The people involved were John Delaney, Kevin Kilty and Ciaran Ó Catháin. What reasons did they give for resigning from the executive? Had there been a history of anyone resigning from the OCI previously? Given what we know now, following the Moran report and other reports, why were concerns not raised prior to this controversy about lack of information and transparency within in the executive? It seems Ms Keane and others did not know what was going on.

Some details have emerged in recent days regarding a meeting between Sarah Keane and her predecessor, Pat Hickey, on 4 April. Can we get some history on that meeting please? Who requested it? What issues were discussed? Who was present at the meeting?

My next question relates to the news emerging about future ticketing arrangements up to 2026 with THG. When did the president of the OCI become aware of the deal to 2026? How can that operate when the organising committee for the Winter Olympics in 2018 has withdrawn permission for THG to sell tickets on behalf of Ireland?

The next question relates to the honorarium, which, if I am correct, was approved in 2015. Who mooted this honorarium? Was it suggested in a committee report and, if so, on what basis? The honorarium was paid retrospectively from 2010 and the total amount involved was €360,000. Despite lack of governance and all the rest of it, was it not an exceptional decision to make it retrospective?

In an interview this week, it was suggested by Mr. Pat Hickey that he hopes to resume his international Olympic duties. It was indicated that would allow him onto the OCI board or committee. Is that true, and can the witness comment on that?

What has been the effect of this controversy on the OCI in terms of funding and sponsorship? We are all aware that funding has been withheld by the Government and Sport Ireland, and I understand that many, if not all, of the sponsors of the organisation have been lost. How is the OCI going to be funded into the future? The Chairman raised the issue of the restoration of funding, which the Minister spoke about earlier. Why did the OCI not sign up to the governance code of community and volunteer organisations immediately, or is there some reason that has to go through a process?

How do other countries handle their ticket allocations? They seem to be able to do it without controversy.

Does any member of the staff of the OCI, in particular the CEO, Mr. Stephen Martin, know who introduced Mr. Pat Hickey to THG originally back in 2009? Can the witness confirm there were issues with tickets during the London Olympics or in previous Olympic Games?

Does the Chairman wish me to ask questions of Sport Ireland now as well?