"This will be a wide ranging and thorough investigation of the way we dealt with the Roy Keane issue," explained a high-ranking FAI official.
"We are not happy that we handled the whole story in a correct manner.
"There is no inference that Mick McCarthy is under any investigation.
"We just believe we could have handled it better and we want to know why and where we fell down. We handled the whole thing badly and we need accountability now."
McCarthy has more pressing matters on his mind. He was at Saitama Stadium yesterday to watch Cameroon achieve a narrow 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia, Ireland's next opponents.
That result was a massive improvement on the 8-0 drubbing the Saudis received at the hands of Germany in their opening game.
McCarthy told Standard Sport: "I am glad that some realism has come back into the Group E scenario.
"People were getting carried away after the Saudi result against Germany and thought it would come down to how many goals Ireland and Cameroon could pile up against them to decide second place in the group.
"That did the Saudis a disservice and I am glad they put the picture straight in Saitama.
"I have watched videos of them in action against Iran in the Asian qualifiers and I knew they were a better team than the 8-0 German scoreline suggested.
"We saw a truer reflection of Saudi Arabia yesterday.
"They are dogged and pacey. They squeeze up and they are quite capable of stinging us on the break.
"We have to be aware of that threat and we have to score twice against them and win. That will get us through and we know it."
McCarthy may think about a change in formation before he picks the team to face the Saudis in Yokohama, venue for the World Cup Final, on Tuesday night.
Niall Quinn's 20 minutes as a substitute against Germany, when he set up the Robbie Keane equaliser, has put pressure on McCarthy to start the Sunderland striker in their final group game.
"Niall gave me plenty of food for thought," is all McCarthy would admit to before today's training session.
"He did exactly what I asked him to do on Wednesday night and, as a result of that, we are close to the second phase. Will that be enough to get him into the starting 11 for Tuesday?
"I'd have to kill you if I told you. You will find out on Tuesday, one hour before kick-off. No sooner."
