Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
110. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the progress being made by the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, with regard to corporate governance reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34385/23]
View answerI am pleased to note that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has made good progress on its governance and financial reforms.
The Sport Ireland Governance Oversight Group has formally endorsed the status of the FAI’s implementation of 152 of the 164 items from within the Governance Review Group Report, KOSI audit, and commitments in the Memorandum of Understanding which was agreed with the FAI in January 2020. This represents implementation of 93% of the recommended reforms.
Notwithstanding progress made to date there remains work still to be completed by the FAI on its reform agenda, and on fully embedding the recommended good internal financial control practices across the Association. Sport Ireland is continuing to engage with the FAI with regard to ensuring the implementation of the various reforms.
I am also pleased to note that, at the end of June, the FAI appointed another female Director to their board. This brings female representation on the FAI board to 33% and signals progress towards the organisation meeting its commitment of having female membership of the FAI Board at 40% by the end of 2023, a target which I have set for all sports governing bodies.
