A business case was submitted to my Department by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) that was strongly supported by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, for the granting of a further 5 year contract to the current Chief Executive of HRI based on existing terms and conditions. I sanctioned the contract based on the strength of the business case presented and in line with current guidelines on the appointment of CEO's for commercial state bodies. The case made indicated that the extension was required because of the substantial importance of the role played by the CEO HRI in the thoroughbred horse industry, the expertise, experience and qualifications brought by the current CEO to the post and the continuity the appointment would provide for the implementation of the strategic plan for the development of this important industry.