Vol. 520 No. 1
98 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the composition of the boards proposed for those harbour boards which will be incorporated entities; and the way in which such appointments will be made to these boards. [15203/00]
In accordance with section 17(3) of the Harbours Act, 1996, the articles of association of a port company provide that the number of directors of such a company shall be no more than 12, up to eight of whom are ministerial nominees. Each director is appointed by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, for a period not exceeding five years and is eligible for reappointment.
Section 30 of the Harbours Act, 1996, defines how employee, local authority and other directors of a port company are selected.
Under the Harbours Act, 1996, up to two employee directors may be elected to a port company. In the case of a company with less than 30 employees, however, the Minister is required to appoint a director who is representative of the interests of the employees, having consulted with any recognised trade union or staff association.
In accordance with the Act, the Minister is obliged to consult with the Chamber of Commerce of Ireland, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and various other appropriate bodies seeking their recommendations of persons to be appointed as directors of a port company.
Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act, 1996, and the Port Companies (Appointment of Local Authority Directors) Regulations, 1996, provide that the Minister appoints three members of a prescribed local authority or local authorities, each of whom has been nominated in the prescribed manner by a prescribed local authority or local authorities, as directors of each port company.
The chief executive is also appointed as an ex officio director of the port company.
