Minister for Sport Shane Ross is to consider appointing a senior counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the Olympic Games ticket touting controversy.

Mr Ross flew home from Rio de Janeiro last night six days ahead of schedule to decide how to proceed with an investigation.

He is to meet Attorney General Marie Whelan and Government officials tomorrow to discuss the structure for an independent inquiry.

The Irish Times understands Mr Ross reached agreement with the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) late on Tuesday about the need for an independent presence on the inquiry set up by the OCI into the affair. It is believed the OCI and its president Pat Hickey had agreed to allow Mr Ross to appoint one out of the three members of the investigation team.

The agreement was reached with the help of former head of the Workplace Relations Committee, Kieran Mulvey. Mr Hickey was to seek final confirmation and clearance from his legal team yesterday, but he was arrested before anything was done.

Mr Ross is keen to establish an independent inquiry. He is believed to be reluctant to allow the Sports Council of Ireland to conduct the investigation preferringan independent person.

In a statement the Minister said: “Given the seriousness of this matter, and in the interests of taking swift and decisive action, I will be returning to Dublin.

‘Back in his box’

“I will immediately consult with my officials, with Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan, and with the Attorney General, with a view to considering the options open to the Government and decide the best course of action.”

The Minister declined to comment on legal advice which encouraged Mr Hickey to put Mr Ross “back in his box” when the two men met in Rio this week.

The email, quoted by Rio police and published locally, was sent by Barry MacCarthy of law firm MacCarthy Johnston in Dublin, who said he was passing on the advice of senior counsel Siobhán Phelan. Mr MacCarthy is a member of the three-man investigation team appointed by the OCI to investigate the affair. Ms Phelan could not be contacted.

Mr Hickey was advised to inform Mr Ross of the inappropriateness of politicians interfering when a criminal investigation was underway.

‘Dark day’

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock said Mr Hickey’s arrest was a “dark day” for Irish sport.

“We need a full external inquiry to be established by Minister Ross as soon as is practicable. There are a great many questions to be answered on behalf of the Irish taxpayer and, if compliance from the OCI with any investigation cannot be guaranteed, then we should not rule out a full review of the taxpayer funding which they receive from Sport Ireland.”

Opposition parties repeated their calls for an independent inquiry to be established. Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley said an investigation must be carried out as soon as possible. Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster said the Government must take hold of this issue and ensure the same mistakes cannot be made again.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin said: “Shane Ross’s only interest in this matter is in trying to keep his own hands clean. It’s . . . clear that he has little understanding of the job he was appointed to do.

“The Olympic Council of Ireland is funded by the Sports Council. That body is empowered to request any information it wishes from bodies in receipt of funding. As Ireland’s reputation suffers further damage, it is about time that Shane Ross got out of the way and tasked the Sports Council with taking ownership of this.”