Watch as FAI make latest appearance before PAC 

HOTSEAT: FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill. Pic: David Fitzgerald, Sportsfile

The Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is on Thursday meeting with a Football Association of Ireland (FAI) delegation to assist in the examination of matters related to the oversight and governance by Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport funding to the FAI.

The proceedings are taking place in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House. You can watch it live below. 

Follow Irish Examiner soccer correspondent  John Fallon for live updates. 

Here's everything you need to know

What is the PAC? 

They are a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money.

What’s the background? 

Never has Irish football been so reliant on the state coffers for finances. The paymasters want to ensure the FAI can be trusted with the cash.

Anything specific? 

Yes. The FAI have been asked to detail how they dispersed €33.7m in Covid-19 resilience funding during the pandemic and are the state agency Sport Ireland prepared to stand over their compliance.

The FAI’s plea for a share of betting tax proceeds through an increased levy will be teased out but so will be saga around Jonathan Hill accepting payment converted from untaken holidays, a perk denied to other staff as part of company policy.

What TDs will be present and asking questions? 

Brian Stanley (Sinn Féin, Chair), Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats, Vice-Chair), John Brady, Imelda Munster (both Sinn Féin), Colm Burke, Alan Dillon (both Fine Gael), Cormac Devlin, Paul McAuliffe, James O’Connor (Fianna Fáil), Alan Kelly (Labour), Verona Murphy (Independent), Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Green Party).

Who is on FAI delegation? 

Jonathan Hill (CEO), Tony Keohane (Chairman), Paul Cooke (President and Audit and Risk Committee member), fellow directors Liz Joyce and Catherine Guy along with David Courell (COO) and Dan McCormack (Finance Director). Sport Ireland, Dept of Sport and officials from the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General will also attend.

Will anything else was raised? 

A room full of politicians will ensure local slants are embarked upon but we can expect the major topic – the identity of the next men’s team manager – to get an airing.

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