THE current Board of Directors of Horse Sport Ireland propose changing the appointment method for the four industry appointees to the board of directors to an “open call process”, explains a document released this week by HSI, which asks for feedback from the industry.

The proposal was met with concern from Mayo TD Michael Ring (FG) who said the process should be done through the Public Appointments Service, when HSI appeared before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Wednesday evening.

Currently, the Chairperson of Horse Sport Ireland and four independent non-executive directors are appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in consultation with the Minister for Sport. Following a collapse of the board last November, Minister Charlie McConalogue appointed Michael Dowling as chair, alongside Dr Kevin Smyth, Prof Niamh Brennan and Zoe Kavanagh.

One industry director is nominated by Sport Northern Ireland in consultation with Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Northern Ireland), while the remaining four industry directors are elected from within the defined nominees from the HSI’s four Advisory Councils.

“The equestrian community has a broad reach, and in that context, the current process could be considered as exclusionary and may discourage potential candidates from participating through the affiliate structure, but who may have skills and competencies within specific disciplines to offer,” the consultation paper reads.

It continues: “To address these issues, the current Board of Directors propose changing the appointment method for the four industry appointees to the board of directors to an open call process which is linked to the affiliate structure, industry stakeholder groups and the broader equestrian community. This process will involve inviting individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and with a diverse set of skills to submit their expression of interest in joining the board of Horse Sport Ireland.”

“Picking pets”

During questions and answers at the Joint Committee meeting, Michael Ring TD, brought up the proposed changes, asking who would be picking the board. “We are going through a process of consulting with industry as to how the remaining directors derived from the industry will be appointed to the board. The remaining members of the board will appoint them,” commented HSI CEO Denis Duggan.

Ring responded: “That’s not very satisfactory, there should be an open competition for that because you will be picking the pets you want and not the people who have most to speak out on. I will be talking to Minister McConalogue on that.”

Michael Dowling, chair of board, then came in on the matter, commenting: “We have circulated the consultation document to the industry through the affiliates and industry setting out an open competition for people who can be shown to be members endorsed by affiliates to apply to become directors.

“We won’t be picking the four directors. There will be an independent panel to review the applications and suggest to us the four people who should take up the directorships; taking into account their background, gender balance, and their skill set. We will pick the panel but it will be independent.”

Deputy Ring added: “Then that is not independent. Why can’t it go through the public appointments like everybody else?”

Dowling responded: “It is independent. We are not a public body in that sense, but that is one of the options we have.”

HSI is requesting feedback from the industry on the proposed changes by August 17th to Avalon Everett, Head of Sport, Legal and Governance (aeverett@horsesportreland.ie) or by post. See full details on the HSI website.