Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Members of the board of Enterprise Ireland are appointed under section 9 of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998. The Act provides that members shall be appointed by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, and that the former shall designate one member of the board as chairperson. The Act specifies that a member of the board shall not serve for more than ten consecutive years.

On the resignation of the previous chairperson of Enterprise Ireland some months ago following completion of ten years of exemplary service to the board, I immediately sought a suitable replacement. I was pleased that Mr. Hugh Cooney was willing to accept my invitation to join the board and to assume the position of chairperson. The Minister for Finance had no hesitation in giving his consent to Mr. Cooney's appointment. I am pleased with Mr. Cooney's appointment and I am satisfied that he is eminently qualified and suitable for his new position.

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