In recent weeks, Horse Sport Ireland, HSI, was back in front of the agriculture committee. Once again, its CEO, Denis Duggan, stated that there have been no HR issues in the organisation over the past two to three years and that there were no legal fees associated with any HR issues. He was certainly convincing and resolute. However, in the Sunday Independent at the weekend, Mark Tighe confirmed what the equestrian sector has known for several years, namely, that Horse Sport Ireland is involved in a series of HR disputes. In January of last year, Nadia Rea took a bullying case that was subsequently settled for a six-figure sum plus costs. In July, HSI settled a case with Michelle O'Reilly, another former staff member. Brian Hennessy, a former press officer, also filed an action against HSI. In addition, two defamation actions are being pursued by two former show jumping coaches, Sally Corscadden and Grant Wilson. These date from November 2022.

When Mark Tighe sought clarity from HSI on this, he received a statement to the effect that it was relying on its insured risk management framework to cover the costs and that there were not costs accruing to it. The other alternative is that the company possibly has employment practices liability insurance in place. However, at no time in his appearances before the committee did Mr. Duggan venture to share this important information. It seems strange that an entity such as Horse Sport Ireland requires such an insurance policy when many of our larger sporting organisations do not have the same.

Horse Sport Ireland is lavishly funded by the State. It will receive €3.6 million from Sport Ireland for the current Olympic cycle. A large proportion of its €10 million budget comes from the Department of agriculture.

There are serious misgivings about Horse Sport Ireland at this time. The level of HR strife within the organisation in a very short window is deeply troubling. More worrying has been the failure to confirm that the body was indeed involved in HR disputes, some of which have been protracted, and was funding them through an archaic accountancy method, or as I said, possibly by means of employment practices liability insurance. There are serious questions to be asked about this organisation. We have repeatedly asked both the Department of agriculture and Sport Ireland to look at the matter. They need to look at everything including, possibly, immediately ceasing funding for Horse Sport Ireland.

I remind Members that it would be preferable if names were not mentioned in the Chamber, especially when people are not here to defend themselves. If Members could refrain from mentioning names and stating situations, that would be preferable.