Rowing Ireland chief executive Michelle Carpenter did not attend the session. Rowing Ireland board chair Barry McWilliams said Ms Carpenter was unwell and unable to attend. He stressed that withdrawal of funding was not a tool the organisation “wishes to weaponise”, describing the Rowing Ireland situation as “unusual and unique”. She said Sport Ireland had not sought expanded statutory powers, though it remained open to considering changes to its remit to include investigations. “I’m not buying the idea that Sport Ireland couldn’t intervene before 2024,” Mr Kelly said.

Source: The Irish Times January 29, 2026 07:47 UTC