Mr. Kenneth Spratt:

I will not say too much on this, but what I will say is that we have a Public Appointments Service process in place which assists us with the identification and selection of board members of State companies and agencies. This process has proven to be invaluable in identifying the knowledge, skills, expertise, competencies and capabilities required in order to serve well on State boards and agencies.

It is a process that is tried, tested and trusted. As is the case with all selection processes, it has identified a number of candidates qualified to be the chair of the Shannon Group. The Minister is considering what he will do next. The option is open to him to go with the second placed candidate on the Public Appointments Service order of merit, to commence a new process or do something different in terms of engaging with other parties, as was mentioned.

It is with the Minister at present. The options available have been communicated to him and he is reflecting on those.