Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy will be aware these are matters that are under investigation. In the interests of the principle of accountability not being breached, it is important those given the authority to act independently, as provided for under Acts of the Oireachtas, are able to do their job in respect of any issue referred to them. That is what is happening in regard to the specific case mentioned by the Deputy.

All non-executive members of boards, namely, board appointees, are dependent upon the information provided to them by executive members of management in terms of papers supplied to the board for the purpose of overseeing policy and giving strategic direction to the organisation of which they are members. One should not, therefore, presume upon the idea that non-executive members of the board were, in the first instance, informed or in all circumstances au fait with any inappropriate or unacceptable conduct brought to their attention. As I stated, the specific case referred to by the Deputy is under investigation and should be allowed, in the interests of everybody, to be pursued vehemently and vigorously and brought to a conclusion in the shortest possible timeframe.

My response, in general terms, is that the performance of those who are members of State boards determines their suitability or otherwise in respect of any particular job. It should be stated — this is not always recognised — that people who take up appointment as members of boards, be they semi-State or non-commercial organisations, many of which are public service in nature, do so out of a sense of public service and in the interests of pursuing objectives which serve the common good.

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