Mr. Aidan Horan:

I might make an independent observation. The report was issued on 21 June. We had briefed the board of the FAI with the draft report on 13 June. The board received the final report late on 20 June and it was published on the website on 21 June. At the first press conference, which was the first briefing, the president acknowledged that the culpability for what was identified in the report, namely, the trouble that had been visited on the association, rested with the board. I have been invited to explain the report at the governance roadshow workshops that are taking place. The president takes the lead on them and acknowledges, in a public and open way, where the board was wrong and the deficiencies that existed. He has been challenged in respect of that and has indicated strongly that this reform package needs to be delivered for the FAI. Throughout the country, the members understand the challenge but it appears that they have vested trust in the man in question to lead the reform package.

He has stated publicly that this is an interim board, which will sit for one year. I do not think he envisages being there for more than a year. I will let him speak to that but that is definitely my understanding. The report and the package represent a recognition that this is the organisation's plan A. This must be the way forward. The question is who can lead that. I wish to emphasise that we were not leaned upon by anybody. No influence whatsoever was used to induce the committee to create an opportunity for someone to sit. That did not happen. We saw it as an important and prudent way to manage transition and renewal. I wish to underline that to people. The outcome is what we have at the moment.