Results 5,081-5,100 of 15,836 for speaker:Robert Troy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: In his opening address, Mr. Conway stated that he knew the FAI had much work to do to rebuild trust and confidence in the association and that the board was committed to achieving this. This is their opportunity to start that process. Even if they have no time for members gathered today, they can speak to their patrons who are watching in, with huge interest in what is going on here....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: In November 2004, the State suspended funding to the FAI. Up until last week, five of the 11 board members were also members of the board at that time. The board should be acutely aware of the responsibilities of board members. Seven of the current board members have 103 years' service in total. The perception outside here is that the board is a cartel and that it is closing ranks and is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: Does Mr. Conway not understand that a CEO of any organisation, irrespective of who he or she is, must be held to account? If the board reports to the CEO, how can it hold the CEO to account, given that the CEO is at the same level as the other members of the board?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: When did that change in corporate governance occur?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: I turn to a statement that was made in January 2017 when this committee held hearings on governance. We were told: "The FAI has a governance group, chaired by a woman and an outside person to look constantly at governance within the organisation." Does Mr. Conway think that governance was constantly under review, and that best corporate governance has always been practised during his time...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: Reviews were carried out in the past. Mr. Conway has been a board member for a considerable period, yet there do not seem to have been improvements in corporate governance. If there had been, he would not be before the committee today. Does he accept that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: We know that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: In fairness, that is not the question I asked. I know the make-up of the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: Is Mr. Conway, as a board member since 2005, happy that proper corporate governance has been practised throughout his time on the board?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: That is not the question I asked.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: Most people would acknowledge that the code of corporate governance that Sport Ireland laid down for implementation in 2021 is intended for voluntary organisations, such as a local boxing or athletics club. The FAI, however, is a professional body. It employs professional people and has a turnover of €50 million per annum. It is not a local voluntary organisation. As a consequence,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: I turn to the suspension of funding by Sport Ireland. Another sporting organisation, the then Olympic Council of Ireland, has previously appeared before this committee. At that time, Sport Ireland suspended its funding and did not restore it until there was a change of personnel and the configuration of the board. If that is a requirement, will Mr. Conway and his fellow board members stand...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: I asked a direct question and I would appreciate a direct answer. Mr. Conway stated he does not want to be evasive or non-committal. I asked a very direct, "Yes" or "No" question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: If Sport Ireland indicates that in order for funding to be restored, the board will have to step down and allow a new board to be appointed, will the board heed that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: I asked a question this morning that was asked again subsequently. It concerned who issued the statement after the news report on the loan of €100,000. It was stated, "The Board of the FAI has been kept fully informed in relation to this matter at all times." Mr. Conway acknowledged he was aware of what we are talking about. I was not aware that we had the director of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: Was he not in place or is Mr. Conway not sure? It was only a couple of weeks ago.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: The witnesses are still unaware of who signed off on behalf of the board.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: I have two other points. The first is directed at Mr. Murray, as honorary treasurer. It has been said that Mr. Delaney kindly donated his UEFA salary back to the FAI in 2017. As someone who would have been aware of the funding coming into the accounts, can Mr. Murray state whether the year in question was the only one in which the salary was donated? Has it been donated since?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: It is a donation to the organisation. I am just curious whether it was made on a once-off basis or whether one has been made since. I would expect the treasurer to be in a position to know.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Engagement with the Football Association of Ireland (10 Apr 2019)

Robert Troy: If the board and witnesses were serious about restoring confidence in their organisation today, they would have been far more up-front and far less non-committal and they would have been far more open and transparent. That is what the general public expected today. I am acutely aware of our limitations as committee members but we will be engaging further with Sport Ireland next week. I...