Vol. 554 No. 5
116 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the criteria used in making ministerial appointments to the boards of the various port companies announced in April 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17046/02]
The composition of the boards of the commercial State port companies is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Harbours Act, 1996. In accordance with section 17(3) of the Act the number of directors shall be not more than 12.
Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act, 1996 and the Port Companies (Appointment of Local Authority Directors) Regulations 1996 and 2002 provide that the Minister shall appoint three members of a prescribed local authority or local authorities – each of whom has been nominated in the prescribed manner by a prescribed local authority or local authorities – as port company directors. Section 30(1)(a) of the Act provides that the Minister shall, in respect of a company the employees of which are more than 50 in number, appoint to be a director of the company, two company employees nominated following an election process. Section 30(1)(b) of the Act provides that the Minister shall in, in respect of a company the employees of which are between 30 and 50 in number, appoint to be a director of the company, one company employee nominated following an election process. The chief executive officer of each port company is an ex officio director in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
