Officials tried to get Horse Racing chief a third term

Department of Agriculture officials pleaded to be allowed break the rules to keep the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland in line for an unprecedented 21-year stint at the helm of the semi-state company.

Semi-state chief executives are supposed to be restricted to one term of seven years. Brian Kavanagh had completed one stint and was given a concession for a second but Horse Racing Ireland demanded a clause allowing to stay on for a third term.

The lobbying on behalf of Mr Kavanagh happened while the department was in a standoff with HRI over his receipt of backdated bonuses and its failure to have him sign a new contract.