Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

This is something that we looked at in the context of the horse and greyhound legislation in, I think, 2014. We looked at the arrangements between the regulatory board and HRI.

The Deputy is right that it is a very unusual arrangement but it is part of the tradition of horse racing that the Turf Club regulates the rules. At the time we were putting through the legislation, that was preciously guarded by Members of the House. We have an arrangement where the IHRB makes the case annually to HRI for funds. There is an engagement between them. Dr. Smyth might correct me if I am wrong but I think there is a facility, in the event of a disagreement, for an arbitration. It is a reasonable arrangement. Could there be other arrangements? There could.

Other things we did in that Bill included making the IHRB directly answerable to the House and the Comptroller and Auditor General. It has to account for its expenditure directly to the Comptroller and Auditor General and it is answerable to this committee.