Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the decision-making process regarding the loan of €250,000 that Bord na gCon provided to the Davis Road Greyhound Stadium; if Bord na gCon had an internal auditor at work at the time this loan was agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18754/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon has statutory responsibility under the Greyhound Industry Acts 1958 and 1993 for the control, development and improvement of the greyhound racing industry. The issue to which the Deputy refers is an operational matter for Bord na gCon. That organisation is specifically empowered under Section 16(1) of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, to provide loans for the “improvement of greyhound race tracks, authorised coursing grounds and the amenities thereof” and for “any other purpose conducive to the improvement and development of the industry”.

I am informed by BNG that financial support in the form of a trading facility in the amount of €250,000, was made available by it to the company referred to by the Deputy. This facility was provided to assist the company concerned with the completion of a project with the objective of furthering the development and promotion of greyhound racing.

I am advised that the proposal to provide this facility was submitted to the Board of Bord na gCon, and that following due consideration, it was approved by the Board, in the best interests of greyhound racing.

I understand that BNG had already appointed an audit firm to fulfil the role of internal audit, on an interim basis, when the decision referred to above was made by the Board.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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114. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the process of appointments to the Control Committee of Born na gCon; the measures in place to avoid any conflict of interest in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18755/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord na gCon is a commercial State body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, charged with the regulation and development of the greyhound racing industry. The Control Committee and the Control Appeals Committee of BNG are established under legislation (Greyhound Industry, Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee Regulations 2007, S.I. Number 301 of 2007).

The Control Committee consists of five members who are appointed by the Board of Bord na gCon. Under article 5 of the legislation establishing the Control Committee and Control Appeal Committee, at least one practicing solicitor or practicing barrister and at least one veterinarian shall be appointed to the Control Committee from time to time and t he term of office of members of the Control Committee shall be three years but retiring members shall be eligible for reappointment.

The existing Control Committee was appointed by the Board on the 29 ^thAugust, 2013, in accordance with Article 5 of the same legislation.

Article 9 of the above legislation provides for situations w here a member of the Control Committee has (other than in that capacity) a pecuniary interest or other beneficial interest in, or material to, any matter to be considered by the Control Committee.