Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, prior to his reply to Question No. 247 of 15 June 2005, his attention had been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) who is a member of Bord na gCon was the subject of a High Court order made on 11 November 2003 specifying that they should not for a period of five years be appointed to act in any way whether directly or indirectly as a director or secretary or to be concerned or take part in the promotion or formation of any company unless it met certain requirements; if he stands over the reply he gave to Question No. 247 of 15 June 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8183/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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In my reply to Question No. 247 of 15 June 2005, I stated that I was not aware of any appointees to State boards under the auspices of my Department currently disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company. This remains the position.

Under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, as amended by the Greyhound Industry (Amendment) Act 1993, I appoint the members of the board of Bord na gCon which consists of seven members, a chairman and six ordinary members. Ordinary members are appointed to serve for a three-year term on the expiry of which they are eligible for reappointment for a further term.

In the case referred to by the Deputy, I sought and obtained advice from the Attorney General's office that there was no legal impediment to his reappointment. At the time of the reappointment of the person in question there was no restriction on that person serving on the board under the Companies Act 1990.