Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

727. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a board meeting of Horse Racing Ireland took place to approve the submission of a business case for the reappointment of a person (details supplied); and whether the board approved the submission of the business case, before it was submitted. [23890/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Proceedings at the Board of HRI are a matter for that body. However, the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the Board, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers, and therefore there is no question of a CEO being appointed without the consent of the board.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

728. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of an open competition process to commence for the appointment of a new chief executive officer to an organisation (details supplied); if this has received sanction and approval from the organisation's board and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23933/16]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

729. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of a business case submitted to his Department by an organisation (details supplied) for the reappointment of its chief executive officer; if he will provide details of same; the details of previous examples for such an extension being granted by his Department for organisations under its remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23934/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 728 and 729 together.

Horse Racing Ireland is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The case made for the reappointment of the CEO in this case related to the short and medium term challenges facing the thoroughbred sector and the delivery of HRI’s strategic plan, the specialist skillset and performance of the individual in question and his membership on a number of prestigious international racing bodies. An open competition has not been advertised for this post. CEO contracts have previously been extended in the case of Teagasc and Bord Bia.

The appointment of the Chief Executive Officer must be made by the Board, subject to the consent of the Ministers for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. There is no question whatsoever of a CEO being appointed without the consent of the board.