Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 272: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide a list of staff in his Department that serve as directors of companies arising from their employment; the names of the companies involved; the annual remuneration received, if any; if they are indemnified by his Department in respect of their role as directors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16420/12]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Shannon Free Airport Development Co. Ltd. (SFADCo) is the only Company under the aegis of my Department.

By virtue of his employment in the Liaison Unit dealing directly with SFADCo; Mr Stephen Curran serves on the board of SFADCo. As a Civil Servant, Mr Curran is not entitled to receive of any fee or remuneration for this appointment, but is entitled to travel and subsistence expenses, which are paid by SFADCo at the normal rates.

SFADCo directors are covered under Directors and Officers cover which includes cover for any wrongful act by the insured in their capacity as an officer/director of SFADCo. I understand from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the Office of the Attorney General has advised that people working for the State are entitled to be indemnified for such work. The indemnification would cover any reasonable legal fees and/or damages incurred where people are sued for undertaking their duties on behalf of the State provided they acted in good faith and in a bona fide manner. The State carries its own insurance in this regard. This indemnity would apply to those civil servants appointed to State boards as part of their official duties.