Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 le chéile.

As the Deputy is aware, my predecessor requested a report from the Irish Sports Council, ISC, on the Mary Coghlan v. Athletic Association of Ireland and Irish Sports Council High Court case. In keeping with my earlier commitment to this House, the sports council report and the transcripts of evidence are now available on my Department's website. I believe that while the Irish Sports Council sets out its case, Ms Coghlan's arguments are set out in the court transcripts. Both sides have now had their say. A settlement was agreed in court and commissioning a further report would only serve to incur more financial expense and prolong the acrimony. I believe it is important at this stage to draw a line under what happened and to focus on the future.

I expect the statutory agencies reporting to me to adhere to best corporate governance practices and, in general, the Irish Sports Council has done so. It is important to learn from this case how one can avoid similar cases arising in the future and ensure that public moneys are not used to meet the costs of legal settlements at the expense of the development of sport.

Last month, I announced the appointment of Mr. Kieran Mulvey as the new chairman of the Irish Sports Council for a five-year term. As Members will be aware, Mr. Mulvey has been chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission since 1991. He has served on a number of public bodies, including the Independent Radio and Television Commission, the National Economic and Social Council and the Governing Bodies of UCD and DCU. He is a former general secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland and the Irish Federation of University Teachers. Mr Mulvey has also acted as a consultant with the European Union and the International Labour Organisation on matters relating to public management, human resources and industrial relations. He recently chaired the negotiations which led to the public service Croke Park agreement.

He also has had a lifelong interest in Irish sport and has on occasion made himself available to assist various sporting bodies resolve issues of contention. I am sure his wide range of skills and experience will be of great value to the Irish Sports Council as it works with the national governing bodies of sport to increase participation in sport, improve standards of performance and ensure that best practice is followed in management, governance and operating procedures at all levels of Irish sport.

I have asked Mr. Mulvey to consider the corporate governance practices followed by the council and to provide assurances to me that best practice is exercised by the Irish Sports Council in its dealings with its customers. I have also asked him to ensure that the council promotes the use of mediation and arbitration where difficulties do arise. I have no doubt that Mr. Mulvey's own considerable experience in this area will be invaluable in that respect.

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