Ms Rea Walshe:

The Genesis report is from 2002. It was initiated to review operational matters in the preparation and support of the Irish team at the 2002 World Cup; consider the appropriateness and effectiveness of these procedures and arrangements against other similar international operators; examine how the senior team fits into the FAI structures; and recommend a strategy for the FAI to devise suitable policies to achieve greater and consistent success during the next European and World Cup campaigns.

That report made a number of recommendations, many of which were implemented. At the very end of the report - and just outside of the recommendations - it suggests support for its implementation and states:

This should include the appointment of a vice president or chairman from within the sport for a period of four years to work with the president and other directors (including non-executive directors from outside the FAI) ... the executive to design and manage the process of change ... External assistance is also likely to be required in the following areas: facilitation of key discussions, planning and integration, developing the top team and input of specific skills.

I was not at the FAI in 2002 but I understand that there was a major rehaul of processes and the board. The board went from a 23-man board down to a ten-man board. It went up to an 11-member board when we brought in the women's football committee chairman but it has now gone back down to ten members. There was major consultation with all of our stakeholders, which was well documented in the newspapers. The FAI went around the country to consult stakeholders. The consultation resulted in the standing committees, as Mr. Conway alluded to, which are currently in place. Unfortunately, there were no non-executive directors at the time. That is not unusual in sport. Sports governance is different from corporate governance. I understand that not all sporting bodies within Ireland or outside of Ireland have non-executive directors on their boards currently. However, I believe that during my time on the governance committee in the FAI we have made great changes. We still have time to implement the governance code but one of the recommendations or considerations is that we would bring an independent member onto the board of directors.