Consultants urge major reforms at racing body

A report into the horse racing industry has advised major reforms are needed at Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to ensure proper oversight of public money.

The paper presented to Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the size of the HRI board should be reduced and there should be greater Government accountability for the work of the organisation.

Indecon consultants said there were 14 members of HRI but the minister only appointed the chairman and this did not serve taxpayers well.

“In addition to appointment of the chairman, the minister also should appoint three public interest directors to HRI board. We believe these are the minimum numbers necessary to ensure accountability for the use of public funds,” it said.

The report also said the three ministerial appointees should be decided after an open public process.

Mr Coveney said he supported the points made by Indecon and that he would take them on board as he looks to implement the report from September onwards. He said the appointments should be strategic for the industry and not seen as an opportunity to reward individuals.

Indecon said as far as it could tell, there had been no value for money report done on HRI. “In order to give assurance that public funds are used effectively, we recommend that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine undertakes a value for money review of HRI within the next 18 months,” it said.

It also suggested the sub committees of HRI be put on a proper footing and recommended a forum for jockeys and bookmakers.

Mr Coveney said he was also anxious to pursue the recommendation to strengthen the marketing side of HRI to maximise its potential overseas.

The consultants told him it had concerns about the continued role HRI plays as owner of a number of racecourses and the Tote. It said the Government needed to take a decision to address this.

The report also reopened the traditional antagonism of autonomy between the Turf Club and HRI. It said both bodies should work more closely together and be based in the same head office to ensure efficiencies.

This would include the sharing of a common database, the merging of its pension schemes and the sharing of services.

Mr Coveney said it was not about dismantling the structures that were in place but improving them and cutting down on waste.