Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Mullins for attending. He has an impressive curriculum vitae and I assume from his presentation that he has the energy, enthusiasm and interest to perform this task. Does he have any continuing involvement in one or more of the companies referred to on his curriculum vitae?

Is there a potential for a conflict of interest in any of them? How much time does Mr. Mullins propose to spend initially at least as chairman of the Port of Cork?

I have no doubt the phrase "securing greater efficiencies" will appear in the work programme over the next 12 to 24 months. What is Mr. Mullins's experience of dealing with downsizing and staff redundancies and redeployment? How has he approached these issues?

I am delighted that the operation of the port embraces corporate social responsibility. We have argued a local social responsibility clause is needed in public service contracts and operations. If it is an objective of Government and the public service to reduce unemployment, are there national or EU legislative impediments to doing so?

A number of people claim, although I do not agree, that the public service way the ports and harbours are run stifles their development and they should be run along more commercial lines. What are Mr. Mullins's views on that?

I am interested in his experience of renewable energy projects and whether he believes port facilities could be used to promote such projects? Does he consider this to be part of his brief?