Since 18 October 1991, I have made three appointments to State agencies under my aegis. On 13 November 1991 the Tánaiste and then Minister for the Marine appointed Mr. Thomas Carr to the Wexford Harbour Commissioners whilst on 11 December 1991 he appointed Messrs George Duffy and John McGuinness to the Dundalk Harbour Commissioners.
Copies of the guidelines for State bodies prepared by the Department of Finance and approved by the Government were forwarded in early April by me to all the State agencies under the aegis of my Department including harbour authorities and I have requested that they be implemented.
Most harbour authorities regulate, by standing orders, their procedures and business. The standing orders of the Wexford and Dundalk harbour commissioners require commissioners to disclose financial or material interests where relevant to the board. Of course, when I refer to "me" I am referring to the Minister and I was not involved at that stage. As Deputies know, it was when Deputy Wilson was Minister for the Marine that those three appointments were made.
