Horse Racing Ireland Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Ceisteanna (542)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

542. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify his statement at the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 27 September 2016 regarding amendments to the pay and entitlements of the chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland; if he will clarify specifically the amendment of pay and entitlements which took place and when; if those amendments did not encompass basic pay and pension entitlements; if the chief executive officer's pay up to the date that they finished their second term was €191,000 plus €56,000 in pension entitlements; and the details of all pay and entitlements contained in the chief executive officer's new contract. [28509/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 reappoint the CEO on an exceptional basis, on the basis of a basic salary of €190,773 as per the previous contract, but required the removal of references to the payment of bonus and performance related pay awards, the payment of a car allowance and the payment of directors fees.  I understand the CEO had waived his right to a performance related bonus and had not received one since 2010, nor did he receive any director's fees. The letter conveying these adjustments to the contract was issued on 25th July 2016.