Minister rejects call to replace National Stud board

The Agriculture Minister has rejected suggestions that the board of the National Stud should be dismissed over recent expenses disclosures.

Minister Brendan Smith has asked for a report into spending practices at the semi-state company.

It comes after revelations that the former Chief Executive John Clarke and his wife Monica spent more than €800,000 on overseas travel between January 2002 and January 2010.

But Minister Smith has dismissed suggestions from Fine Gael's Michael Creed that a new board is needed to oversee the running of the Stud.