Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, the Minister of State and the officials for all their work. It should be acknowledged that they have continued to secure record investment in tourism, sport and arts, which says something about the priorities. In particular, I thank the Minister and her officials for 20 hours of Committee Stage debate on the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.

I will start with a very specific question to the Minister of State on the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, IABA. Does he now believe it is appropriate that there should be an independent investigation into the association? We have seen another high-performance director leave, an election take place in which votes were not counted and members being expelled in a move that was subsequently found to be ultra vires. There is clearly something wrong. The Minister of State has indicated that he will consider withholding funding, but the concern, as expressed by Kellie Harrington yesterday, is that this may impact directly on the boxers. Nobody wants to see that happen, but there is clearly something rotten at the heart of the IABA. It is my view that there should be a complete independent investigation. I would be grateful to know the opinion of the Minister of State.