SEÁN KENNY TD WELCOMES VETTING OF APPOINTEES TO CHAIRS OF STATEBOARDS

Posted on July 4, 2011 2:18 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Seán Kenny, the Dublin North East Labour TD and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht, today welcomed the announcement that recently appointed chairpersons to the board of four of Ireland's most important agencies will be scrutinised by the Committee for the first time next week.

On Tuesday, 12 July, the Committee will question the recent appointees to the position of chairperson of CIE, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann.
This is the first occasion on which an Oireachtas Committee will have the opportunity to assess the suitability of the nominations to chairs of State bodies. It will also enable Committee members to establish their plans for these agencies and put specific issues they may have regarding Ireland's public transport system.
 "This is a most welcome development", Deputy Kenny said. "The Committee is looking forward to having a meaningful discussion with these individuals. It is an opportunity for elected public representatives to consider if they are suitable candidates to oversee some of the State's most influential bodies.", he continued.
It will also provide an opportunity for appointees to present their capabilities for the role and to outline their vision for the future of these organisations.
"In the past, sometimes the impression has existed that chairpersonships of  CIE anc other companies were decided upon behind closed doors and there was no proper scrutiny of candidates", Deputy Kenny said.

"I believe it is only proper that those charged with the substantial responsibility of managing these companies should prove their bona fides and competence in an open public forum. It must be remembered that organisations such as CIE, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnórd Éireann are hugely significant in the everyday lives of millions of people", Deputy Kenny concluded.