Vol. 421 No. 9
15 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications when it is proposed to nominate replacement members to the Trust of Connacht Airport, Knock, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
19 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if, in view of the resignation of three members of the Trust of Connacht Airport, Knock, County Mayo, she will outline the procedure that will be used to appoint replacement members.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 19 together.
A deed of trust vesting ownership of the Connacht Airport Company in the Horan International Airport Trust was agreed between my predecessor and the company's shareholders last year. In accordance with the deed of trust, responsibility for the appointment of the board of directors rests with the trustees. I have no function in relation to the nomination of persons to serve as members of the board of the company.
I welcome the deed of trust, which is something that has been sought for a long time. The deed of trust has finally put in place a good management structure and has kept the very valuable property, in which there has been considerable State investment, in the hands of a responsible group of people. However, I ask the Minister whether she is not somewhat worried that three very valued members of the board have resigned. One of those members was the chairman, who has been with the company since its inception; one was the chairman of Aer Rianta, whose very presence represented a very valuable unofficial State imprimatur and the other was the managing director of a very big Japanese company in Mayo. There would seem to be something other than a coincidence in the simultaneous resignation of three members, despite the fact that their public statements would not appear to give reason for anxiety.
I was disappoined to be informed by Mr. Monaghan and the others of their resignation from the board of the company. I registered my disappointment with each of them; but, unfortunately, they had made their decision and were not in a position to reconsider. The appointment of their successors to the board is a matter for the trustees. As the Deputy knows, it is not a matter in respect of which I or the Government have any function under the deed.
