Written answers

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Sports Organisations

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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814. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, during the process to select independent directors of an organisation (details supplied) a company provided a short list of ten names; if the name of the person ultimately appointed chairman was not one of the names on the list; the way in which and by whom the chairman was selected for the position; if he played a role in nominating the person for the position; if he vetoed names on the list provided by a company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10549/20]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, have no function or role in the appointment of the independent directors of the organisation mentioned by the Deputy. 

I received no list of names as suggested by the Deputy, nor did I nominate anyone for the position. The recruitment process for the Chair was conducted by AMROP, an independent recruitment company.

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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815. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he insisted on the appointment of six independent directors of an organisation (details supplied) as opposed to three as part of the funding arrangements set out in the memorandum of understanding in view of the fact that this configuration will now give control to the independent directors of the organisation with the casting vote of the chairman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10550/20]

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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816. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason in the memorandum of understanding with an organisation (details supplied) funding was made conditional on all council members of the organisation with ten or more years’ service retiring at the AGM in 2020 in view of the fact agreement had been reached in 2019 that they should remain for three years up to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10551/20]

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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818. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the involvement of Sport Ireland in issues raised relating to an organisation (details supplied); if he sought its advice regarding the funding conditions outlined relevant to the memorandum of understanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10553/20]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 815, 816 and 818 together.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreed between the organisation to whom the Deputy refers and the Government, signed in January 2020, was required by the Government in order to allow a financial support package to be put in place for the organisation.  The MOU was signed in the presence of the organisation's European governing body and the organisation's main lender, both of whom welcomed the MOU.

The conditions for the receipt of the funding, set out in the MOU, were accepted by the organisation, and welcomed by the other stakeholders who also provided financial support.

The MOU provides that six of twelve Board members of the organisation, including the Chairperson will be independent directors. It is important to have this balance on the Board to ensure strong governance and oversight of the association.  The organisation's previous governance arrangements were shockingly inadequate and led to serious financial mismanagement.

The new governance arrangements set out in the MOU also require reform of the organisation's Council, where council members with more than 10 years' service will retire by July. This changeover on the Council will address issues around the representative imbalance on the Council, particularly to ensure that women’s football is properly represented.

I acknowledge the good work done by many people on the Council.  However, it is now time to move forward with these final governance reforms.  I can confirm that I sought the advice of Sport Ireland in relation to the conditions outlined in the MOU.

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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817. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that three members of the visionary group of an organisation (details supplied) now hold the positions of association chairperson, interim CEO and deputy CEO without having had a formal recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10552/20]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, have no function or role in the appointment of the independent directors of the organisation mentioned by the Deputy. 

For your reference, the role of Chairperson in the organisation mentioned was filled following an independent recruitment process, undertaken by AMROP. I also believe that a recruitment process has commenced this week seeking to fill the permament CEO position by another independent recruitment company.

I welcomed each of these appointments when they were made in January. There was a real need for a change at those levels in the organisation and I commend each of the three people involved for their willingness to take on these key roles at such a challenging time. They have my full support in the work they are doing to reform the organisation.

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