Coveney can break rules for greyhound chief

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, has got permission to break public appointment rules in order to keep the chief executive of the Irish Greyhound Board in situ for another two years.

The decision represents a significant U-turn by Mr Coveney on what his department considered was one of his notable achievements for “the minister’s first year in office”.

Adrian Neilan, the chief executive of the IGB, will continue in his post for two years after his current contract expires on Dec 31 if he accepts a reduced salary and the removal of a car allowance.