Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Last Monday, I enjoyed a marvellous night's entertainment when St. Jude's GAA Club in Templeogue ran a night in Harold's Cross which I attended. I understand the Minister's exaltations of the merits of greyhound racing, as it is a great night out. I compliment Harold's Cross in that regard.

As Members are aware, in January 2006 the board of Bord na gCon decided to terminate the employment contract of its chief executive. This was the culmination of a series of events surrounding the chief executive, which included a direct communication from Mr. Tynan to the Minister alleging shortcomings in corporate governance practice at Bord na gCon, and that procedures dealing with doping infringements by the doping control committee were not in accordance with best practice.

In February 2006, the Minister established an independent investigation to be carried out by Mr. Tim Dalton, the former Secretary General of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, into those issues relating to corporate management in Bord na gCon, as well as its management of the positive tests for banned substances. I understand the terms of reference of the independent investigation were as follows. It was to review the allegations of shortcomings in corporate governance practice at Bord na gCon made by its chief executive in his letter to the Minister of 18 January 2006. Moreover, it was to review a response dated 30 January of the chairman of Bord na gCon to those allegations. In addition, taking into account the possibility of legal proceedings taking place, it was to examine the circumstances surrounding the decision of the board on 26 January to terminate the contract of employment of the chief executive officer with immediate effect, and to report when and if possible, in light of the said legal proceedings, its findings to the Minister, and in any event to advise on any action considered necessary to ensure adherence to best corporate governance practice.

The terms also included consideration of the manner in which Bord na gCon procedures dealing with doping infringements are carried out at present, to comment on the adequacy of existing procedures, and to advise whether there should be changes or modifications put into effect. Mr. Dalton presented his report to the Minister in April and his Department immediately sought guidance from the Attorney General's office on how to proceed regarding the issues raised. In accordance with the Attorney General's advice, copies and, in some cases, extracts of the report were sent, on a confidential basis, to persons to whom it referred to afford them an opportunity to submit observations to the Minister by close of business on Wednesday, 31 May 2006. The submissions received were made available to Mr. Dalton for the purpose of finalising his report, following which the Minister will present proposals to his Cabinet colleagues to deal with the recommendations in the report.

The Minister will also seek approval for immediate publication of the report. He made it absolutely clear, as recently as last week when replying to parliamentary questions, that all those mentioned in the report would be afforded due process and sufficient time to submit their observations. He also stated that he does not intend to comment at this stage on any aspect of Mr. Dalton's report until it is formally released into the public domain.

Under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, the Minister appoints the seven members of the board of Bord na gCon, which comprises a chairman and six ordinary members. The term of membership of an ordinary member is three years with two ordinary members retiring each year. An ordinary member may at any time resign by letter to the Minister and the resignation takes effect on receipt by the Minister of the letter. The Minister may at any time remove an ordinary member of the board. An ordinary member of the board whose term of office expires is eligible for reappointment. The Minister appoints the chairman, as the occasion requires, and he or she holds office at the pleasure of the Minister. The chairman may, however, resign at any time by way of letter to the Minister and his or her resignation takes effect from the date of receipt of the letter by the Minister.

The Minister appointed Mr. Seamus Mallon, former MP and MLA, and Mr. Dick O'Sullivan, manager of Punchestown racecourse, to the board for three years, with effect from 23 May 2006, to replace Mr. Cathal Curley and Mr. John Hegarty whose terms of office expired on 23 January. The Minister will be warmly complimented in many communities for his foresight in making those appointments. While Mr. O'Sullivan is well known, Mr. Mallon is a revered figure in domestic politics. I am glad he has taken up this assignment and I wish him well.

My knowledge of greyhounds is restricted to attending Harold's Cross greyhound stadium to support local events. Bord na gCon, which is a commercial semi-State body, was established in July 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the industry. The board's functions are: the control, promotion and operation of greyhound racing; the overall control of coursing; the promotion of greyhound exports; the operation of betting; the regulation of public sales of greyhounds; the making of grants for prize money; the allocation of grants to improve amenities at tracks; the licensing of greyhound tracks and their officials; the authorisation of bookmakers to conduct business at tracks; and the collection of levies on course bets. Of the State's 19 greyhound tracks, Bord na gCon owns nine — Shelbourne Park, Harold's Cross, Cork, Tralee, Waterford, Youghal, Limerick, Galway and Clonmel. It also has a 51% share in the Mullingar track but there are no plans for a track in Tallaght.

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