Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
235. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that accurate information was furnished to his Department in respect of the appointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland; if so, the basis upon which the said appointment proceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27941/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra236. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that appropriate and necessary ministerial consent provided by him, which permitted the reappointment of the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, may have been made on the basis of facts which did not accord with the reality of the situation whereby there was no board approval made by Horse Racing Ireland on 21 July 2016 or any other date; if, in that context, he is concerned that he might have been misled concerning such approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27942/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra237. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in respect of the appointment of the chief executive officer of any organisation, it is critical that the board would submit its approval concerning such appointment to the relevant Minister and in respect of the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland, it was made clear that the request of ministerial sanction and consent was subject to the advice of the board of duly appointed directors signalling their agreement to such appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27943/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra238. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his view on the fact that the reappointment of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland clearly breached the Government guidelines as set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which specified strict time limits of the duration for time in which the CEO of a commercial semi-State body should serve; if, in the context of the reappointment of the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, this was clearly breached in so far as at the end of this contract period, the person would have served in excess of 19 years, which is clearly not in accordance with the prescribed guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27944/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 238, inclusive, together.
Horse Racing Ireland 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.
The current guidelines on contracts for the CEOs of State Bodies provide for a seven year period of appointment. In the case of Horse Racing Ireland the Chairman of HRI made a case for an extension to the term of appointment of the CEO as an exception to those guidelines, based on a number of business imperatives.
The necessary Ministerial consents were provided and I am advised by HRI that the board agreed to re-appoint the CEO on 21st July 2016.
I have already indicated that I understand that the board had not had a formal discussion on the case presented to support the CEO's appointment prior to its submission, and that it would have been more appropriate to have had such a discussion before Ministerial consents were sought.
I note however that the Board has confirmed that the Chairman's actions and intentions reflected its views regarding the CEO's contract, but recognised that a more collegiate approach would have improved the process. The board has also indicated that it is fully agreed that there was no intention to incorrectly inform the Minister or misrepresent its views. The board of HRI has also indicated that it is satisfied that "the best result for HRI and the industry has been achieved with the successful completion of the new CEO contract".
