Vol. 480 No. 7
71 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the role, if any, she and her Department played in the appointment of a new chief executive to the ESB; and the discussions which took place between herself and the board in relation to his terms of remuneration and conditions. [15061/97]
While the board of ESB appoints its chief executive, the salary and allowances attaching to the post are subject to my approval and that of the Minister for Finance in accordance with Section 7 of the Electricity Supply (Amendment) Act, 1988. The procedure has now been completed.
The board of ESB was anxious to pay its new chief executive in accordance with the recommendations of the Buckley report. Both the previous Government and this Government decided to postpone implementation of Buckley. I advised the chairman of ESB that the chief executive's salary must comply with the Gleeson guidelines.
I met the chairman on seven occasions between 31 July and 17 September and outlined the Government's position on the Buckley report to him.
The chairman informed me by letter on 19 September last that Mr. Ken O'Hara had been appointed chief executive of the ESB on terms complying with the Gleeson guidelines.
