Minister for Sport Shane Ross has told the Dáil that the recent media reports on the loan provided to the FAI by its CEO John Delaney have raised "serious questions" about governance and financial controls in the organisation.

However, he said that Sport Ireland should be left to carry out its report on the matter and he would answer questions once that was complete.

He was responding to Fine Gael TD Noel Rock who called for a "truly independent examination into both management and finances which further State funding will be contingent on".

Mr Ross said that it was important to give Sport Ireland the necessary time to engage with the FAI on the issue.

"In the interests of due process and in the interests of natural justice, it is important that Sport Ireland's engagement with the FAI will be give the necessary time to ensure all matters are considered thoroughly.

"Therefore I do not wish to make any comment on any possible outcome from this ongoing process," Mr Ross said.

Mr Rock stressed that everything needs to be investigated "from top to bottom, lease deals, associated companies, board-room expenses".

He called for a full independent examination into the FAI's corporate governance and finances.