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Reports that the former chief executive of the FAI provided a loan to the organization \u201chave raised serious questions\u201d, Ireland\u2019s sports minister has said.<\/p>\nReports that the former chief executive of the FAI provided a loan to the organization \u201chave raised serious questions\u201d, Ireland\u2019s sports minister has said.<\/p>\n
Shane Ross said Sport Ireland was \u201cengaging\u201d with the FAI over claims it received a loan of \u20ac100,000 from its former chief John Delaney.<\/p>\n
Sport Ireland is expected to provide the minister with a report into the matter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recent media reports regarding a loan provided to the FAI by its CEO have raised serious questions about governance and financial control at the FAI,\u201d Mr Ross said.<\/p>\n
In the interests of due process and in the interest of national justice it is important that Sport Ireland’s engagement with the FAI will be given the necessary time to ensure all matters are considered thoroughly<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the interests of due process and in the interest of national justice it is important that Sport Ireland\u2019s engagement with the FAI will be given the necessary time to ensure all matters are considered thoroughly.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore I do not want to make comment on any possible outcome from this ongoing process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Ross was addressing questions from Fine Gael\u2019s Noel Rock, who called for an independent examination into the FAI\u2019s management and finances.<\/p>\n
Speaking in the D\u00e1il, he said: \u201cThat means investigating everything \u2013 from top to bottom \u2013 associated companies, boardroom expenses, everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn corporate governance in the FAI, it\u2019s clear that it is shambolic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all been taken aback by the ongoing corporate governance and financial issues within the FAI.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referring to a report on senior management structures which led to Mr Delaney\u2019s new role in the organisation, Mr Rock said that it was \u201cincredible\u201d it has been produced in its entirety in just six weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo redrafting required and the contents of it was acted upon by an unanimous vote of the board leading to the announcement of a brand new position for John Delaney,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis absolutely stinks.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoes the minister believe that taxpayers\u2019 money is being deployed effectively, does the minister not believe that now is the time for an independent examination into FAI\u2019s corporate governance?<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time we look at where taxpayers\u2019 money is going as it\u2019s clear there are omissions in the information being supplied.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn finance, I have spoken to current and former employees of the FAI and I am disturbed by what I am hearing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the FAI won\u2019t clean up its own house, then we should at least work to protect the taxpayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Ross told the D\u00e1il that Sport Ireland provided the organisation with \u20ac2.9 million in funding in 2018 and \u20ac2.7 million in 2017.<\/p>\n
He said that Sport Ireland has \u201crobust arrangements\u201d in place to monitor the funding it provides to sporting bodies.<\/p>\n
He said that the FAI is required to submit copies of its financial statements, which must include a statement from its auditor.<\/p>\n
The FAI is audited by Sport Ireland every three years. The next audit is to take place later this year.<\/p>\n
Mr Ross added: \u201cI am satisfied that the existing controls in place are robust. As we have seen in the past, failures in governance within sporting bodies unfortunately damages reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n