Tourism and Leisure Minister David Cretney believes the issue should be considered in the coming months as part of the review of this year's festival.

The revelation was made in Tynwald as Mr Cretney responded to questions about criticism over the running of the TT in Motor Cycle News.

The publication carried a statement from Jack Valentine, team boss of Triumph ValMoto, who blasted the event's 'elderly organisers' for their antiquated attitude.

MonsterMob Ducati team boss Paul Bird and Neil Tuxworth, Honda UK race boss, added their concerns in MCN, although Mr Cretney has since met Mr Tuxworth to discuss them.

The TT is run by the Auto Cycle Union and the Department of Tourism and Leisure and implemented through the TT co-ordinating committee, which Mr Cretney chairs.

Anne Craine (Ramsey) suggested it is time to look at setting up a Manx governing body to be affiliated to the International Federation of Motorcycling, rather than be affiliated to the ACU.

Mr Cretney said this was a 'good question' on a matter which had been considered in the past, but added it should be looked at again in the months ahead.

Mr Singer admitted he wasn't a reader of MCN, but said it was well-read and was influential within motorcycling circles.

However, Allan Bell (Ramsey) said the attack on the TT was nothing new, claiming a few disgruntled people have a go at the festival each year, something which had been 'going on for 15 or 20 years and it needs to be put into this context'.

Mr Cretney said there were a number of publications, some better, some worse than MCN and questioned the validity of the reports.

He said he'd spoken with bosses at one bike manufacturer who told him they wait with 'eager anticipation' to see if what MCN reports is the same as the statements they provide it with.

The minister said he was 'very disappointed' at the comments attributed to certain people in MCN.

'Firstly, I have to say that I don't feel "elderly",' said Mr Cretney.

'Secondly, the TT co-ordinating committee has put in place a consultative framework to enable the manufacturers and the riders to have input into the key decisions such as the race programme, the classes to be run and the technical rules.

'Indeed, this year, through the website, we expanded the process to allow anyone to put forward their views. It is sad, therefore, that we hear of these concerns in the media rather than through the consultative process.'

But Mr Cretney added: 'I do wonder if the issue here is that the comments reported were made in the midst of a highly-pressurised and, sadly, traumatic fortnight, whereas our consultative meetings take place away from that pressure and immediacy.'