Agriculture Committee puts questions to Chair & Board of Horse Racing Ireland about reappointment of CEO

13th October 2016

Committee Chair, Pat Deering TD, said: “Our Committee has raised numerous concerns about the circumstances around the reappointment of the HRI CEO. Today, representatives from the HRI addressed the Committee on the matter, giving Committee Members the opportunity to directly question them. There was a robust exchange of views on the rationale the HRI had for seeking the reappointment and the legal complexities around the CEO’s contractual history. Members sought clarification on how the board will ensure that this situation will not happen again in five years’ time. Committee Members contended that the board failed in its duty to carry out due process on this occasion.”

“The board admitted to us that this kind of situation cannot be allowed to happen again and told us that the CEO will not be returning at the end of this five year term. We were also informed that a succession plan has since been put in place for when the current CEO’s contract expires. Members expressed concern about the need for open competition and were keen to ensure that the next CEO appointment is not limited to HRI members.”

“This particular reappointment failed the test of corporate governance and the Joint Committee is of the strong opinion that - particularly when taxpayers’ money is involved - due process and corporate governance must be adhered to. The Irish racing industry is of major national importance and – regardless of the significant expertise that certain individuals may possess - everything must be done to ensure that state bodies do not breach government guidelines. We had a full and frank discussion with the HRI today, and were assured by them that in the future, all appointments will be carried out by adhering to appropriate corporate governance policies.”

ENDS/