Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2018
422. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason an anomaly exists in the election of worker directors of ports here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo strengthen the position of the Boards of Port Companies, the Harbours Act 2015 introduced changes in legislation in line with Government policy and to strengthen and improve corporate governance arrangements for company boards, including the introduction of 10-year limit on the period served by any director, including an employee director, of a port company.
The legislation also introduced certain stated skill sets for company directors.
Section 30(6) of the Harbours Act 1996, as substituted by section 39 of the Harbours Act 2015, provides that a person shall not serve as a director of a port company for a period that is longer than 10 years in total. This applies equally to all directors of port companies, including employee directors.
This provision is also in accordance with good corporate governance and practice as specified in 4.5 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016
In setting an overall limit on the period of directorships, section 30(6) gives more opportunities for other people to register their interest in serving on the boards of port companies. Elections have been held and all employee director positions in port companies are currently filled and no vacancies will arise for a number of years.
