Mr. Tom Freyne:

It would definitely give us stakeholder involvement that would be listened to. Eight submissions were made by the affiliates prior to Christmas. These were received by HSI. Many of them recommended going back to what obtained pre-Indecon, which was having advisory councils and the previous constitution. It was smaller but it probably was more efficient. I was a member of the 17-person board and it was a slow-moving organisation to be fair. It was a very steady ship. The members supported each other and there was great support for para equestrian, defence and the Army Equitation School. We all looked after each other but maybe we were not as fluid as we needed to be. This was the reason for moving to the advisory forum methodology. I still believe it could be a good way, with the improvement of bringing in the major funding partners of agriculture and sport to be involved on the board. It would be better than what we have now because for sure we need stakeholder involvement. They need to be listened to and to be part of the decision-making process. The point has been made that they bring in the skills and knowledge needed to bring the sector forward.