Ticket controversy needs independent investigation
THE investigation into the alleged illegal sale of Olympic tickets from the Irish allocation needs to be independent, thorough and involve all parties who played a part in the matter. Of course, from the outset it is important to note that the ongoing and developing ticket controversy is far from the most serious scandal to erupt in Ireland in recent years. This is nowhere near as significant as, for example, clerical child abuse or planning corruption and it most certainly should not be treated as such.
However, it is a huge embarrassment for Ireland at a time when the eyes of the world are on Rio. It is also an unnecessary distraction for the athletes who are flying the Irish flag at the games.
As of yet, it remains unclear what has actually happened and, indeed, if anything illegal took place at all. That’s a matter for the Brazilian courts to decide and it is entirely possible that all involved will be completely exonerated.
It should also be pointed out that as of now, although he has been detained by Brazilian police since August 5, no charges have been filed against Kevin Mallon the Irish sports hospitality executive at the centre of the current storm. Whatever happens in Rio’s courts we still need answers as to how exactly Ireland and the OCI came to find themselves embroiled in this unseemly mess. As such, a full independent enquiry is needed. If the public and Ireland’s sporting community is to have any faith in its findings, the enquiry must involve all parties who played a role, no matter how insignificant.
It is difficult to see how an internal investigation by the OCI, no matter how thorough, can provide all the answers.
It is also unusual that before the OCI investigation has been completed, the body has already stated, categorically, that there has been no wrongdoing, impropriety or misconduct by OCI staff.
Given that the outcome of the investigation is unknown – and will not be known until the matter is dealt with by the Brazilian legal system – it may seem strange to some observers that the OCI can be so confident of absolution at this early stage.
The OCI – which is an autonomous body – is not obliged to appoint an independent person to its enquiry panel but as it receives funding from the taxpayer, many will feel that an outside party should be part of the investigation. That this appears to have been ruled out by the OCI is disappointing.
The Irish taxpayer and the athletes supported by the OCI deserve the reassurance that nothing untoward has taken place.
That reassurance is unlikely to come from either an internal OCI enquiry or a separate independent Government enquiry that would not have access to most of the main players.
Sports Minister Shane Ross has been forceful in his comments about the OCI since he arrived in Rio on Sunday but he was slow to respond to the growing controversy and the potential reputational damage to Ireland.
His plan to refer the issue to the Attorney General (AG) for advice on how an independent enquiry could proceed is also noteworthy. Only last month Minister Ross severely undermined the role of the AG when – during the debate on abortions in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities – he dismissed her advice as “simply an opinion”.
Now, just a few weeks later, Minister Ross, is suggesting the Attorney General will have the solution to the current OCI imbroglio.