Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1488. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to, and if he agreed with, the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) which sanctioned for the CEO of HRI an annual salary of €190,773 which breaches the specified salary range for the position of HRI CEO by an excess of €26,542; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25745/16]
View answer1575. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he agreed with and sanctioned the Horse Racing Ireland board's breach of salary guidelines for the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1488 and 1575 together.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) 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 appointment of the Chief Executive Officer is a matter for the board of HRI, subject to the consent of the relevant Ministers. Under the Irish Horseracing Industry Act, 1994 Section 3: The chief executive shall hold office on and subject to such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration) as may be approved of by the Authority with the consent of the Minister and Minister for Finance.
In this instance, the consents provided permitted the board to retain the services of the CEO at his existing salary.
