Finian McGrath
Question:569 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport when he last spoke to or met the chief executive of Aer Lingus. [1028/05]
View answerWednesday, 26 January 2005
Questions (505, 506, 507)
Finian McGrath
Question:570 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he has total confidence in the chief executive of Aer Lingus following recent revelations that he is planning a rival airline to Aer Lingus. [1029/05]
View answerFinian McGrath
Question:571 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is acceptable that senior executives at Aer Lingus are now undermining the valuable national airline by planning a rival company following their departure in May 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1030/05]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 569, 570 and 571 together.
I last met the chief executive together with the chief financial officer and chief operations officer on the morning of Tuesday, 16 November 2004. I have had no further contact with the three executives since that date.
Corporate governance issues are a matter for the chairman and the board of the company, as is the appointment of senior management. The acting chairman has assured me that he has been mindful of the possibility of conflicts of interest arising since the notification of the resignations of the three executives in November 2004 which were to take effect from May 2005. He has confirmed that at no stage has he been made aware upon due inquiry that a conflict of interest has arisen. Furthermore, he has received assurances in that regard from the three executives and he accepts those assurances.
A sub-committee of the board was set up on 29 November to oversee the appointment of a new chief executive. In addition a new executive management group was established in December to manage the company during the transition period. Meetings of this group are being chaired by the acting chairman. Given the substantial progress on the transition arrangements and in the search for a new chief executive the acting chairman agreed earlier this month with the three senior executives to foreshorten their notice period and, accordingly, it has been agreed that they will relinquish their responsibilities on 28 January 2005. I understand that the board intends to appoint a new chief executive as soon as possible.