Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014
325. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps being taken to fill the post of chairperson and chief executive officer of the Industrial Development Agency Ireland which have become vacant recently. [1499/14]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that under the powers conferred on me by the Industrial Development Act 1993, I have appointed Mr Frank Ryan as a member of the Board of IDA Ireland and as Chairperson of that Board with effect from 1 January 2014.
Frank Ryan, is a distinguished public servant with over 35 years’ experience in supporting the economic development of this country and is ideally placed to oversee the next phase of growth in the multinational sector. I have every confidence that under his Chairmanship the multinational sector can continue the strong growth which has been so crucial to our economic recovery in recent years.
I should point out to the Deputy that the post of Chief Executive Officer of IDA Ireland has not yet become vacant. The current CEO, Barry O’Leary, has indicated his intention to step down from the post during the course of 2014. Accordingly, a process will now be put in place to ensure that a suitable successor to Mr. O’Leary is recruited and appointed.
Under legislation, the Chief Executive Officer of IDA Ireland is appointed by the Board of that agency on such terms and conditions (including remuneration) as that Board with the concurrence of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, may approve.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. O’Leary for his leadership of IDA Ireland during very challenging times and to congratulate him and the Agency on the recently published end of year results which show an increase in job creation and investments for the fourth consecutive year in a row.
