Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, it is extremely disappointing to hear of the latest fiasco around the CEO's pay given all that we had all gone through with governance in the FAI. The grassroots have been badly let down and I am disappointed to see more of the same attitude today.

Mr. Barrett was appointed the independent chairperson and the thinking behind his appointment was to have a white knight. Given all that we had seen in respect of governance issues in the FAI, the view was that it was better to appoint a person who was not involved, had no skin in the game, was going to be here and the person would be tasked with oversight, management and ensuring adherence to good governance. Is it not ironic that Mr. Barrett did not see, until the issue came into the public domain, what he was doing regarding payments in lieu of holiday pay? One might say it was exceptional circumstances because there was one case of it before but it was Mr. Barrett who actually saw that through and allowed it to happen. Also, as the independent chair tasked with ensuring good governance, Mr. Barrett did not see fit to tell the board members.