Dr. Kevin Smyth:

I will deal with the first two questions and then leave the matter of the identity of horses to Mr. Sheahan. On the first question, it is clear in law where responsibility lies regarding the regulation of horse racing. The IHRB is legally responsible for making and enforcing the rules of racing. It makes all the decisions regarding doping control, forensics and handicapping, and the organisation is independent in respect of what the law states. Having said that, strict controls are imposed on the IHRB concerning corporate governance and financial accountability. The issue that seems to be arising, and the one the Chair has referred to, is the make-up of the committee. It has six members and one chairperson and there are two issues in this regard. One concerns whether it is necessary to have an independent person or persons on that committee. A second issue which has come up is the gender balance of the committee. It is not for me to dictate its make-up, but a strong message is coming through in that regard.

Turning to the funding of HRI, the €9 million and the situation with the salaries, this is a complex issue and it does not just apply to the IHRB. Several State bodies do not report the exact salaries of their staff. That is permitted under the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies in respect of provision 1.4 of the subsection on business and financial reporting requirements. State bodies covered by this provision are allowed to publish details of the number of employees within pay bands. From €60,000 upwards, it is necessary for such bodies to report in lots of €10,000 roughly what is being paid to their employees.

Generally, what is reported is just the amount paid and the number of employees in that band. That is perfectly permissible. It is being done by HRI and the Irish National Stud as well. It is allowable under the code of governance. The actual salary of the chief executive, for example, is reported to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Exact details are provided, but that information is confidential and commercially sensitive. It would be a breach of the general data protection regulation, GDPR, to disclose it.