SENATOR Joe Flaherty revisited the topic of HR-related legal cases involving Horse Sport Ireland last week in the Seanad, calling for an investigation and cessation of funding.

Referring to a recent appearance before a meeting of the Agriculture committee, Senator Flaherty said: “HSI CEO Denis Duggan said that there were no HR issues over the last two to three years in the organisation, and also that there was no legal fees associated with any HR issues. He was certainly convincing and resolute. However, in the Sunday Independent at the weekend, it confirmed what the equestrian sector has known over a number of years, and that is, in fact, that HSI is involved in a series of HR disputes.”

The senator then listed a number of cases he had been made aware of, some involving six-figure settlements. He also referred to HSI stating it had relied on its insured risk management framework to cover legal costs, and that there was no cost accruing to HSI.

“The other alternative, of course, was that the company possibly has an employment practice liability insurance in place. However, at no time in its appearances in the committees did Mr Duggan venture to share this important information,” the senator said.

“And it does seem strange that an entity such as HSI requires such insurance policy when many of our larger sporting organisations in the country don’t. HSI is lavishly funded by the state. It will receive €3.6 million from Sport Ireland for the current Olympic cycle, and a large proportion of its €10 million budget comes from the Department of Agriculture.

“There’s certainly serious misgivings about HSI at this moment in time, the level of HR strife within the organisation within a very short window is deeply troubling.

“More worrying though, has been the failure to confirm that the body was indeed involved in HR and protracted HR disputes and was funding them through an archaic accountancy method, or has, as I said, possibly an employment practice liability insurance. There are serious questions to be asked about this organisation, and we’ve repeatedly asked both the Department of Agriculture and now Sport Ireland to look at it - to look at everything, including possibly immediately ceasing funding.”

In response, HSI said: “Like many organisations, Horse Sport Ireland has, at times, encountered employment-related disputes. Such matters are handled through formal processes and, where appropriate, resolved through settlement. Settlement does not mean any finding of wrongdoing or validation of allegations; rather, it often reflects pragmatic resolution within legal and insurance frameworks designed to avoid unnecessary cost, delay and disruption.

“Having risk management and insurance arrangements in place is standard and safeguards HSI’s financial stability, including the public funds entrusted to it. HSI remains fully accountable to funders and is focused on delivering for the equestrian sector, while maintaining high standards of employment practice and governance.

“Outside of HR matters, HSI has a number of previously reported upon legal actions, which it is robustly defending. As these matters are before the Courts, further comment would be inappropriate.”