Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the skills gap identified by the Indecon Report 2014, in relation to the Irish Greyhound Board, has been filled; the measures he has taken, or is taking, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18752/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following on from the publication of the Indecon Report in July 2014, Bord na gCon submitted an action plan with timelines for implementing the 27 recommendation in the Indecon Report dealing with governance, finance, regulation and welfare. This action plan has been published on the Bord na gCon website. Bord na gCon has informed me that they are continuing to address the skills gap referred to in the Indecon Report. In this regard, Bord na gCon has expanded its risk management committee to include the Chief Executive Officer and all of the senior executive management team. This executive risk management team is supported by a risk facilitator who is tasked with maintaining a risk register as identified by the risk management committee.

A new executive position of Director of Racing, Governance and Compliance was filled in June 2014. The function of the executive concerned is to ensure effective compliance by all stakeholders in the Irish greyhound industry with the current regulatory system and to further develop and implement a world class regulatory code to ensure the highest standard of integrity of greyhound racing in Ireland.

Furthermore, a Director of Tote and Wagering was appointed in November 2013 and a Director of Commercial Operations appointed in April 2013.

Also in May 2014 a person with veterinary and legal expert ise was appointed to the Board.

Indecon’s recommendation to further strengthen the skill set of the Board will be addressed as part of the new procedures for appointments to State Boards to be carried out by the Public Appointments Service when vacancies at Board level are filled.