National Stud

Hard Questions Must be Asked about Goings On at Irish National Stud-D il Public Accounts Committee

“Danger Stud Could be Another FAS”

20 May 2010

An investigation is needed into media allegations of cronyism and excess spending on foreign travel at the Irish National Stud (INS), the D il Public Accounts Committee (PAC) told the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture today.

Secretary General, Tom Moran appeared at this morning’s meeting amid press claims that the INS had failed to follow proper procurement procedures by giving business deals worth €718,000 to firms run by staff of the stud. It was also revealed that the INS’ former chief executive racked up €800,000 in travel expenses in eight years.

Mr Moran informed the Committee that the Department of Agriculture no longer had a representative on the board of the INS. He also told Committee members that the Minister had sought assurances from the Chairman of the INS regarding adherence to proper codes of governance when the original allegations first surfaced. The Chairman of INS reported to the Minister claiming he was satisfied that best practice had been followed.

Committee Chairman, Bernard Allen TD said;
“The Committee is most alarmed by some of the revelations which have emerged in the media. An investigation must take place into these allegations. It seems that hundreds of thousands worth of business was given to companies owned by board members while vast sums were also spent on foreign travel.

While the Committee accepts that the INS is a commercial semi-state body which is not in direct receipt of state money, it does have a responsibility to comply with the accepted codes of governance for all semi-state bodies regarding procurement and travel.

We cannot have another FAS style scenario where money is spent in a cavalier fashion without any proper recourse to best practice or prudence. Serious questions must be asked of the INS and answers sought immediately whether by the PAC or another appropriate Oireachtas Committee.