Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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536. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has to date exercised his powers under section 29A of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 to demand that Horse Racing Ireland provides a full account of the way the reappointment of its chief executive officer complies with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies. [28503/16]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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537. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has to date exercised his powers under section 29A of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 to give a direction to Horse Racing Ireland on its compliance with the code of practice for the governance of State bodies or any other code or policy issued by the Government. [28504/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.

The reappointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the Board, subject to the consent of the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The necessary Ministerial consents were provided based on the case made. I have already indicated that it would have been better if the Board had a full discussion on the case made to my Department before its submission.

Nonetheless it was always the case that only the Board could make such an appointment.

I understand that the Board has confirmed that the Chairman's actions and intentions reflected its views regarding the CEO's contract and I understand the Board approved the re-appointment on 21st July for a period of five years.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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538. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department had any contact from any member of the board of Horse Racing Ireland prior to 13 July 2016 noting that support for the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland was not unanimous within the board. [28505/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that Minister of State Doyle had contact from a board member prior to the date in question and I personally had contact from a Board member separately on the matter.

I note nonetheless that under the relevant legislation, the appointment of a CEO can only be effected by the board.

I note also that the Board has issued a statement indicating its support for the reappointment.