Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

What we need to know with absolute certainty, given all that has happened, is if the Minister will consider bringing forward legislation that will make it a condition of funding or the reinstating of funding that the board step down. That is the power that we need to have. The Minister said he would consider providing extra powers, but if legislation is required, will he do it in terms of corporate governance, which is what this is about? It is about the governance of the board of the FAI. For example, if the FAI was found to be in breach of the Companies Act, would he consider it to be sufficient to bring forward legislation to state funding would be withheld until such time as the board was replaced because that is the issue? It seems to be a case of "as you were" for the FAI board as there is no accountability. I say this on the basis of my observations today. What we have discovered so far is that Sport Ireland is toothless and, in many aspects, has been played. The Minister has also been played. He came and read a letter that gave the impression that the board would step down some time soon. That might never happen because there is nothing to stop its members from putting themselves forward for re-election at the annual general meeting. The biggest issue is the board. It is something of which we, as a committee, should start to take control and we could start by holding hearings and producing a report with an eye on legislation being brought forward. We could invite clubs, players and fans-----