Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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568. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date on which his Department became aware that the Football Association of Ireland had received a €5 million payment from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, following the failure of the Republic of Ireland football team to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. [27146/15]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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570. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he, his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department have any concerns as to how the receipt of €5 million by the Football Association of Ireland from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association was accounted for by the Football Association of Ireland and-or reported to his Department or to bodies under the aegis of his Department. [27148/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 568 and 570 together.

The National Governing Bodies of Sport are independent, autonomous bodies. My Department does not have a regulatory oversight role relating to the financial reporting of those bodies.  ​My Department was not aware of the €5m payment to the FAI from FIFA prior to the recent media reports on the matter.  

I have no role in relation to the FAI accounts. However I am aware that the accounts of the FAI are subject to audit in the normal way. I understand that the Financial Statements for each of the years from 2010 to 2014 have been audited by a registered independent auditor in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and standards on auditing. I understand that the auditor's reports confirmed the accuracy of the annual accounts.

The transaction between FIFA and the FAI was between two private organisations and did not involve any taxpayers money. There was no requirement on the FAI to report it to me or to any of the Agencies under the aegis of my Department. I welcome the publication by the FAI of the documentation relating to the transaction. I believe that issues in relation to governance and in relation to how this transaction occurred were supported and dealt with in the documentation that has been published.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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569. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which there is regulatory oversight of the debt position of national sporting bodies; the reporting requirements that are set down; and the extent to which his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department actively seek such information from national sporting bodies. [27147/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The National Governing Bodies of Sport are independent, autonomous bodies. My Department does not have a regulatory oversight role relating to the debt position of those bodies.

The Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport. This includes responsibility for the allocation of funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport. The Irish Sports Council monitors those bodies in order to ensure proper financial auditing and governance standards.

The Council sets terms and conditions in relation to the funding provided, including financial reporting requirements. From the information they have given me, I am confident that the Council has good procedures in place for the audit of use of public money allocated to sporting organisations.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the Council for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.