Results 2,621-2,640 of 2,988 for speaker:James O'Connor

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Hang on a second. I have not even made the point here.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: He is convicted. It is an embarrassment to the Department of agriculture that that individual was left near an animal. It is actually disgusting. I grew up around animals, horses and cows, and have been around them all my life. That somebody could be convicted and still be allowed work in a setting involving animals is sick. If we put this is a human context, would we have somebody like...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: I have no time. I am sorry.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: I just wanted to make that point. I am not asking a question, I am making a statement.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: You are digging a JCB-sized hole for yourself here.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: You are.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Right.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: You are a Department of agriculture official coming in here and trying to say the courts decide. The point I am making is about somebody with a conviction for animal cruelty being involved in the handling of animals.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: And that is okay.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: I cannot give Mr. Sheahan any more time. I need to move on to the IHRB, but the first question is for Ms Eade. From HRI's point of view, where does the injured jockeys' fund sit? Who has the money?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Okay. Why was there a transfer of €350,000 to an IHRB bank account in January 2022? It was repaid, but why was it necessary to that?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: That is fine, but why was it necessary?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Okay. I am aware Mr. O'Loughlin does not come from a racing background. He came from the IPU into racing. I have been on many a track where jockeys have been injured. I have seen a lot of things as a racing spectator. It is appalling when a severe injury takes place, and then there are the ramifications. I am sure Mr. O'Loughlin has become very aware of the long-term healthcare...

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Mr. O'Loughlin said it was an isolated incident. Has he or HRI been aware of any other transfer of charity money within racing to the IHRB or any other agency involved in racing?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: This had no input into the IHRB's decision to refuse a licence for racing at Kilbeggan in April.

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Okay. I thank Mr. O'Loughlin for answering that question. On the IHRB's system, I note it has had a very senior member of staff on paid leave for 12 months. Does Mr. O'Loughlin agree that is an exceptionally long time to be on paid leave?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Has he not come to the conclusion it is best for the IHRB's relationship with the individual to end?

Public Accounts Committee: Financial Statements 2022: Horse Racing Ireland
Financial Statements 2022: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (20 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: Does Mr. O'Loughlin appreciate the damage this does to the integrity of horse racing in Ireland from horse racing supporters' perspective? Does he understand the ramifications and the damage this does from a reputational perspective? Would it not be best to put this sorry matter to bed now, rather than allow an individual continue on paid leave for over 12 months?

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (25 Jun 2024)

James O'Connor: 115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be addressed; if he will re-examine this route in line with points raised by the Local Link general manager; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26893/24]