Doyle and Dowling clash over new body
Her comment comes days after it was revealed that Mr Dowling is a member of the Agricultural Trust, which owns the Farmers Journal. The newspaper has taken a positive view of Mr Dowling's suitability for the post and, in doing so, has criticised Ms Doyle for the EFI rejection of him.
Mr Dowling has been nominated by Sports Minister, John O'Donoghue and Agriculture Minister, Joe Walsh to head up an implementation group to devise structures for the umbrella body. However, the EFI has questioned his independence due to his past association with the Department of Agriculture as its secretary.
Yesterday, Ms Doyle said she was surprised by the news that Mr Dowling was a member of the Agricultural Trust.
"I was taken aback. It does not help the issue of his independence and could give rise to claims of a conflict of interest. Notwithstanding his qualifications and capabilities, there remains the question of his independence, which has led in this impasse," she said.
She also said she regretted the Farmers Journal's "personalisation" of the issue, a reference to the newspaper's characterisation of her, which, for example, has seen her recently described as having "more male attributes than the combined male EFI executive council".
While acknowledging past dealings in the political sphere with Mr Dowling, she stressed she had no argument with him, but felt only he could resolve the conflict. "As long as Michael Dowling is in the arena, this impasse will continue, through no fault of his own. He has the solution in his own hands. I have the greatest respect for Mr Dowling, but he will understand his position is untenable. I expect him to be able to read the situation."
The Fine Gael MEP is recovering with a broken leg following an accident with a pony last week. The accident led to the postponement of the federation AGM, at which Ms Doyle was expected to be challenged for the presidency, as she sought re-election for a second two-year term.
Three affiliates of the EFI the Show Jumping Association of Ireland, Eventing Ireland and the RDS have said they do not have a problem with Mr Dowling.
Yesterday, Mr Dowling categorically rejected the claim that his former position as secretary of the Department of Agriculture left his "independence" open to question. "I was asked to do this. I had no instruction other than to set up a unified body. I've no particular axe to grind one way or the other," he said.
He also rejected the suggestion that his membership of the Agricultural Trust, which recently purchased the Irish Field from the Irish Times, demonstrated a conflict of interest in terms of the Farmers Journal promotion of his candidacy. "The Agricultural Trust owns the Farmers Journal, but it does not interfere in editorial policy in the journal."
He also said it "is no secret that I am a member of the trust".
Asked to respond to Ms. Doyle's claim that the solution was in his hands, he said: "I was asked by two ministers to do the job. If I can do it, I will. There is nothing in it for me. I have experience in the past in setting up bodies in the horse area," the latter a reference to his role in setting up Horse Racing Ireland.
Mr Dowling and Ms Doyle denied any interest in heading up the umbrella body upon its formation.
THE sudden withdrawal of Trevor Coyle after the Northerner broke his hand while riding Fleur last Thursday, ensured a weakened Irish team could only finish fourth in the Swedish nations cup at Falsterbo.
Ireland renew their Samsung Super League campaign next week in Hickstead, with Charles joined by Cian O'Connor, Kevin Babington and Billy Twomey. Coyle is likely to be replaced by McMahon as the fifth member.
France lead the league on 31 points, just half a point ahead of Ireland.
IT may have taken him three attempts last weekend, but Harry Marhsall eventually made it to the top of the leaderboard in the Kerrygold Grand Prix League.
He opened his account with a superb win at Wallslough Equestrian Centre on Friday, his third in the series. The victory took the Ballyclare rider to within eight points of then league leader James Kernan.
On Saturday, it was on to Ennis and Marshall looked set to continue in winning mode. But with victory in his grasp, he faulted at the penultimate in the 10-horse jump-off to tumble down the placings and hand victory to Linda Courtney (Cavaleve).
On Sunday in Ballina, again with Splendido, he adopted a more cautions approach, but still managed to finish second to Peter Smyth (Zara's Pride). The result moved Marshall to the top of the league on 60 points, four better than Kernan, with Smyth third on 55 points.
FINANCE Minister Charles McCreevy was on hand at Goffs, Co Kildare, yesterday to officially open the new Show Jumping Association of Ireland offices.
SJAI chairman Charles Hanley said with a full sporting schedule looming in the months ahead, such as the European Championships and the Dublin Horse Show, the SJAI thought that it was a case of "now or never". "With around 7,000 members and an ever- increasing workload, the Association decided that the extra amenities provided at this new location would better suit not just its immediate needs, but also its plans for expansion," he said.
