I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
I can advise the Deputy that five vacancies have arisen on the Board of the Port of Cork Company since 1 January 2020.
I have filled one of the vacancies arising by the appointment of a director selected using the Public Appointments Service process. A further two vacancies were filled by the reappointment of two outgoing directors. In line with the Harbours Acts, officials in my Department engaged with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform seeking the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the three appointments.
The remaining two vacancies of a director and a chairperson will be filled through the Public Appointments Service recruitment process. The recruitment process for both positions is currently underway.
In making my decision on the filling of these vacancies, I was cognisant of the need to provide fresh thinking to the Board, whilst also retaining some continuity in knowledge and expertise in its membership. In addition, I was also guided by the provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Companies on the length of the term of office of State Board members.
In addition, I understand that, in line with the Guidelines on Appointment to State Boards, the Chairperson of the Port of Cork Company was consulted by officials in my Department in relation to the skills that were required to ensure that it could effectively perform its role.
I did not receive any communication, either written or verbal, from any Minister or their advisors on the filling of the vacancies.
