Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation

I request the following records under the Freedom of Information Act 2014: relating to the constitution of the Irish Horse Racing Board (IHRB) i.e. this board is governed by a board of six directors, three of whom are nominated by the Turf Club and three by the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. The IHRB is predominantly State funded. The revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, states ‘clear accountability underpins effective relations between Government Departments and the State bodies under its aegis. I request information on the constitution, governance and oversight undertaken by the Department of Agriculture on this board and any oversight by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. 2. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, Section 1 – Remuneration and Superannuation, states that ‘The Board should adhere to Government policy on the payment arrangements for CEOs and where applicable other staff as well as any conditions of sanction of approval issued by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform and /or the relevant parent Department.’ Guidelines for Appointments of CEOs of Non-Commercial State Bodies, 5.1 states ‘No sanction will be given in respect of an offer of remuneration to the CEO unless it is in line with Government policy.’ I request information on the remuneration package of the current CEO, as a state employee, this information should be publicly available, and information as to whether this remuneration is in line with Government policy. 3. The Department of Agriculture gave a derogation that allows the IRHB to not disclose the salaries of senior staff, including their CEO thought this board is almost entirely publicly funded. The stated reason given is due to the ‘commercial sensitivity’ of