Vol. 418 No. 7
35 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has received representations from the trade unions representing employees of Teagasc regarding the manner of the appointment of a person (details supplied) as director general designate of Teagasc; if he will outline his response to the unions' representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have received representations from the trade unions representing employees of Teagasc on 11 and 24 March 1992 on the manner of the reassignment of a person (details supplied).
The situation is that under section 7(5) of the Agriculture (Research Training and Advice) Act 1988, the Minister for Agriculture and Food appoints the first Director of Teagasc but each subsequent Director is appointed by Teagasc subject to my consent.
In accordance with this procedure the Chairman of the Board of Teagasc wrote to me on 4 March 1992 seeking my consent to the appointment of a person as Director of Teagasc on the retirement of the current Director, Dr. Pierce Ryan. On 12 March, I gave my consent to this future appointment. The contractual terms and conditions pertaining to the appointment will be considered by myself and the Minister for Finance at a future date. I can assure the Deputy that the various procedures laid down in the 1988 Act will be complied with.
The unions have been informed of the foregoing.
