Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Horse Racing Ireland, HRI, is a commercial State body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing sector. Under the provisions of the relevant Acts, the appointment of the chief executive officer is a matter for the board of HRI, subject to the consent of relevant Ministers.

I can confirm that the chairman of HRI wrote to my Department presenting a case for the reappointment of the chief executive and seeking the necessary ministerial consents. Based on the case presented, my Department supported the case and sought the necessary consent from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

I am advised by HRI that, having received the necessary consent, the board had a full discussion on the matter of the reappointment of its chief executive at its 21 July meeting and again at its 12 September meeting, and that it has approved the appointment. I am satisfied that in this case the necessary statutory provisions have been observed and that the board has decided to reappoint the CEO.

There is an issue, however, with the sequencing of events which, I understand, the chairman of HRI has acknowledged. In essence, I understand that the board had not had a formal discussion on the case for reappointment prior to the submission of the request for consent. This is most unfortunate and it would certainly have been more appropriate in my view to have had such a formal discussion at board level before the necessary ministerial consents were sought.

The appointment of the chief executive of the HRI can only be effected by its board and therefore there could never have been a question of such an appointment being made without board approval. I should also say that the decision of the board was in no way constrained by the fact that ministerial consent had been obtained. The board was at all times at liberty to make alternative arrangements for the appointment of a CEO.

I am also advised by the HRI that the board is satisfied that the best outcome has been achieved for the organisation.