Minister for Sport Shane Ross “stunned” by OCI refusal to allow independent member on ticketing inquiry

Minister for Sport Shane Ross has described himself as "absolutely stunned" following a meeting with Olympics Council of Ireland president Pat Hickey.

Minister Ross had flown to Rio in order to meet with Hickey over controversy that has emerged after an Irish man was arrested in Brazil on suspicion of illegally re-selling some of the OCI's ticket allocation for the games. Ross was not satisfied for the OCI to investigate the matter internally with zero independent oversight, but Hickey has refused to allow an independent element to the inquiry "citing legal advice", according to a statement from Ross. According to the Irish Times, the OCI also informed the Minister that they would not co-operate with any inquiry established by the Irish government. The Minister referred to the OCI's stance as an "extraordinary decision" that left him "absolutely stunned". A state from the Department of Sport refutes the OCI's argument, stating that the government does not accept there is any legal basis for refusing the presence of independent members on the inquiry. Ross' statement goes on to say that the Minister will discuss the matter in full with the Minister of State for Sport, as well as the Attorney General, before deciding how to proceed.