At the meeting, held in FAI Headquarters at Abbotstown, President Donal Conway updated National Council members on the following matters:
KOSI Report
The Board of the FAI expects to receive the Sport Ireland commissioned independent audit from Kosi later this month. The FAI has co-operated fully with Kosi’s audit and looks forward to receiving their report.
Mazars Report
Mazars have indicated that their initial report, commissioned by the FAI as an independent review, will be available towards the end of November.
Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Directors
The Board has been informed by global recruitment firm Amrop that a short-list of candidates for the appointment of four Independent Non-Executive Directors, including an Independent Chairperson, is now complete. The final stage of this process is now the responsibility of the Nominations Committee and is expected to be completed within a number of weeks.
AGM/Audited Accounts
Deloitte are on site at FAI Headquarters as they finalise their audit of the 2018 accounts and revised 2017 accounts which are now expected to be available to present to a re-convened AGM in late November/early December.
ODCE Investigation
The FAI has now submitted tens of thousands of documents to the ODCE and continues to co-operate fully with their investigation. The most recent production of 10,048 documents includes two documents containing legal advice which the FAI have sought privilege on. The ODCE application regarding this privilege will now be heard by the High Court on November 14th.
Oireachtas Appearance
The FAI will accept an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport when various reports currently being undertaken are complete. The Board confirmed to Council that 27 of the GRG recommendations have now been implemented. A Governance Implementation Oversight Group, including three external nominees, has been formed and has met. The Internal Implementation Group has also met.
Government Funding
The FAI is in regular contact with Sport Ireland. The FAI is cognisant of the Government’s desire to see reforms introduced before funding is restored and remains confident that significant milestones in this regard will be reached in the coming weeks. The FAI also expects the incoming Independent Chairperson to take on a significant role in relationships with Sport Ireland and Government.