SIMON Coveney has a vision for Ireland and a vision for Irish racing. In both cases he aims to make them the best they can be. While he is happy to consult and listen to all views, he also acknowledges that the decision making stops with him.

“My nature is to try and be a consensus builder but I am not somebody who will under pressure simply maintain the status quo because some people don’t want change. That is not what I’m about,” he said when we met in his office in Agriculture House.