Dr. Kevin Smyth:

With regard to whistleblowers and allegations, the Department is more than happy to meet with anyone. There is a particular prominent person who has been in contact and has been in the newspapers. They have not met the agriculture committee. They have spoken to the heads of the IHRB and HRI but if they wish to speak to the Department we will be more than happy to arrange that. We have a method of dealing with whistleblowers and protected disclosures and if there is evidence or details we can get we would be more than happy to deal with them.

I will respond to the question of an inquiry into the activities of Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, IHRB, and Horse Racing Ireland, HRI. I would like to know what the basis of that inquiry would be and what exactly we would inquire into? I leave the other questions to my colleagues.