Vol. 464 No. 3
13 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether he has had to withdraw any warrants of appointments to State boards; the appointments, if any, he has made to commercial State companies which later had to be cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8235/96]
Since coming into office I have not withdrawn any warrants of appointments to State boards or cancelled appointments made to commercial State companies. However, two members of the board of Coras Iompair Éireann were removed from office by the Government under the terms of section 7 of the Transport Act, 1950 on 18 November 1995.
In the case of voluntary resignations, letters or warrants of appointment automatically lapse.
I refer the Minister to two vacancies at the Irish Aviation Authority where a former director, a Labour associate, was reappointed while the other, who has made such a major contribution to the authority, was given the job of editor-in-chief of the aviation magazine
He was removed from his position. Why did the Minister publicly announce the appointment of another director and subsequently withdraw it?
I will not comment on an individual case but, in general, when board vacancies arise discussions are held on a number of candidates to identify the person best suited to the position. I will not speculate on which individuals were or were not considered for positions in the Irish Aviation Authority and neither will I comment on press speculation on those appointments. However, I can confirm that only two appointments have been made to the board of the Irish Aviation Authority since April 1995. Those were Mr. Aidan O'Brien, who was reappointed, and Mr. James T. Barton who was a new appointee on 26 March 1996. The air navigation services division of my Department did not, at any stage, prepare, issue and withdraw a warrant in respect of any individual. As the Deputy is aware, when vacancies arise on State bodies many people offer themselves for the positions. A number of people are requested to consider allowing their names to go forward. It may happen from time to time that names come into the public domain but, at the end of the day, it is a matter for the Minister and the Government to make what they consider to be the most suitable and appropriate appointment at the time.
Is the Minister stating his office did not announce the appointment of a certain individual to the Irish Aviation Authority in one of the daily newspapers? That person was not appointed subsequently. While obviously an associate of Deputy Jim Mitchell with whom the Minister seems to have a cosy arrangement, he had previously been on the State board of Knock Airport. The Minister was aware of a possible conflict of interest but did nothing about it until the matter was brought to his attention by the Irish Aviation Authority and only then was the name of the individual withdrawn.
I do not intend to comment on press speculation or on any matter raised by the Deputy. As I have stated clearly, warrants were drawn up for the appointment of two members to the Irish Aviation Authority. They were in the name of Mr. Aidan O'Brien, an outgoing member and Mr. Barton who was newly appointed. They were put forward by me and sanctioned by the Government.
The Minister put a specific emphasis on warrants. He is well aware that warrants may not be signed for a number of months after the initial announcement is made. The appointment of two directors was announced in the newspaper. One of them serves on the board and the other person's name was withdrawn because the Minister's attention was drawn to a possible conflict of interest. He made the appointment knowing the possible conflict of interest. He did not bring to the attention of his Cabinet colleagues the background of the individual he nominated and put to Cabinet. It was only when the matter was drawn to his attention that he acted and asked that the name be withdrawn.
The Deputy must be trying to write a play for a drama festival. His question is: "to ask the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications whether he has had to withdraw any warrants of appointments to State boards; the appointments if any he has made to commercial State companies which later had to be cancelled...". I have stated that no warrant was signed, withdrawn and cancelled. I do not intend to speculate on newspaper and media reports. I have given the factual position.
Is the Minister refusing to confirm that he made an appointment and subsequently withdrew it when a conflict of interest was brought to his attention? Is he denying that in the House?
The Deputy is aware——
The Minister has been hiding for long enough.
Let us hear the reply.
Answer the question.
Please desist Deputy. The Deputy ought not to speak in a sitting position. The Minister to reply without interruption.
I have given the background and the factual position. In many instances — I am sure it happens regularly — people put their names forward. Every Minister receives correspondence from people who feel they have the identikit——
Is the Minister saying this person was passed by Cabinet?
I will not answer questions unless the Chair insists that this type of barracking stops.
The Chair always protects Members on both sides of the House.
The Minister is sensitive today.
The Minister knows exactly what happened.
