John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I join Deputy Upton in welcoming the appointment of Mr. Mulvey as chairman of the Irish Sports Council. There has never been a greater need in the governance of sport for the industrial relations experience he possesses. I support Deputy Upton's call for an independent inquiry in this case. The key question for the public is why we have not heard Ms Coughlan's version of events. The Minister indicated that she has asked Mr. Mulvey for assurances that best practice will be exercised in the council's dealings with customers. Is that an implication that this has not been the case in the past, as is the general view?

There is a need for better governance. After each Olympic Games, for instance, we have reports from the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council which are totally divergent. What is the relationship between the high-performance unit in the council and the Irish Institute of Sport? It seems many former staff of the institute are coming into the council as consultants. There are questions to be answered in that regard.

I am aware of a specific case where a top athlete-----

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