Mr. Paul McDermott:

I accept the Senator's point. I will not get into a debate about it. The independent report recognised, as we all do, that there were in the IABA long-standing issues, some going back a number of years. In the last 18 months three particular issues arose: the issue within the central council itself, the issue with high performance, and the review. We do not have a partisan approach. We wanted to help the IABA. It commissioned the report. It was done independently. My role was simply to have one interview with Brian MacNeice. Mr. MacNeice spoke to the people in Irish boxing. All the clubs were allowed to make submissions. We talked to a wide range of people. We have to accept, however, as we do, that the clubs and the grassroots feel a disconnect. There is no question about that. That was heard loud and clear on Sunday. There is a body of work to do to repair that. It is fair of Senator Malcolm Byrne to make the contrast with Cycling Ireland, the board of which is embracing the need to stay with the KOSI report, the IPA governance effectiveness review and so on. It is to be hoped that, in the aftermath of Sunday, people will reflect and understand what is required of the IABA to address the issues. Sunday was a landmark day. It moved the situation forward. However, has it addressed the issues of substance? Not yet. Those issues of substance remain to be addressed, and we remain open to working with the IABA to address them. It is in everybody's interest. We absolutely recognise the importance of Cycling Ireland as a governing body and cycling as a sport and a pursuit in Ireland. Likewise, we value the contribution of Irish boxing not just to Irish sport but to the wider community. That is why we spend so much time engaging with the IABA, and we hope to continue to do so. We have to recognise, however, notwithstanding how much more we understand about boxing after Sunday, that the issues of substance remain unresolved.