Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is similar to a question I asked last month on the Department's role in ensuring compliance with the governance code. I put the question in light of the news that the Football Association of Ireland had just recently changed its rules to allow long-serving board members to remain in situfor an additional four-year term. Of the 11 members of the FAI board, seven have served more than 11 years, two have served more than 15 years and John Delaney, who was on the board, served 17 years, including 14 as chief executive officer. This clearly contradicts the governance code because the recommended term limit is nine years or three terms of three years.

I also ask the question in light of the recent financial irregularities which have come to light since I asked my question a month ago. The response of the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, at the time was that governance was a matter for the FAI and Sport Ireland and he had no engagement with the FAI regarding the code. He also said he understood that the FAI is on a journey to the adoption of the code. Given all that has recently come to light, that is one hell of a journey the association is on. Does the Minister stand over that response?

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