Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2024
115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. reference 1188 of 17 January 2024, the reason the accounts still have not been published for HRI and IHRB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse 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 Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. The role of the body as the regulator of horse racing is provided for in legislation however the body itself remains a private entity.
Relevant legislation and the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies 2016 require the annual financial statements of both HRI and the IHRB to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and submitted to my Department for consideration. The financial statements are subsequently noted by Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The 2022 audited financial statements for HRI were received by my Department on 21 December 2023, noted by Government on 5 March 2024 and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 8 March 2024.
The 2022 audited financial statements for the IHRB were received by my Department on 28 March 2024 and are currently under consideration.
