Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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312. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has assessed the implications for operational stability at the Port of Cork Company following the resignation of its chief operating officer, the third senior executive to leave the organisation in the past 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61524/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

I would like to reiterate that governance, procedural and operational concerns are primarily a matter for the Board of the Port of Cork Company. My Department is in regular contact with the company and any issues are brought to their attention through appropriate channels. I am not aware of any current concerns in this regard.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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313. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has examined whether the recent departures of senior executives, including the chief executive, are connected to governance or procedural concerns previously identified within the Port of Cork company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61525/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

In accordance with the Code of Practice, the delivery of good governance standards across all aspects of the Port’s activities is primarily a matter for the Board of the Port of Cork Company, with my Department providing oversight to ensure good governance is achieved. My Department is in regular contact with the company and any issues are brought to their attention through appropriate channels. I am not aware of any current concerns in this regard.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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314. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a breakdown of legal and consultancy costs incurred by the Port of Cork Company in 2023 and 2024, including fees paid to external legal and financial advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61526/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

Any arrangements, including payments for legal services related to the port or matters concerning the representation of individual employees, executives, or board members, fall within the remit of the Board of the Port of Cork Company. My Department would have no role in these arrangements or decisions.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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315. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the recruitment process for the current chief executive officer of the Port of Cork Company complied fully with the advertised criteria and standards for appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61527/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

Recruitment for the position of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Port of Cork Company was undertaken by the company’s Board of Directors by way of open competition, facilitated by an external recruitment specialist. As outlined in section 35 (3) of the Harbours Act 1996, as amended, it is the directors of the company who appoint the CEO after consultation with the Minister. In keeping with the legislative requirements, the Minister has no further role to play in the appointment.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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316. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has received any written representations or concerns from board members of the Port of Cork Company regarding conflicts of interest or procedural integrity during the CEO recruitment process; if so, if he will publish those representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61528/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

Additionally, I would like to reiterate that it is a matter for the Board of the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) to evaluate any conflict of interest that should arise. The Chair of PoCC engaged with the Department as was appropriate while the recruitment of a Chief Executive Officer was ongoing.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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317. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has been notified of any potential conflicts of interest among board members of the Port of Cork Company, including those involved in governance or recruitment decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61529/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

I reiterate that any conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, or issues of concern that arise are a matter for the Board of the Port of Cork Company to evaluate in compliance with the Governance Code of Conduct adopted by the Board. I am satisfied that the Board is effectively managing these matters in full compliance with the Governance Code of Conduct.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an independent forensic audit or investigation was commissioned following the late submission of the 2023 accounts of the Port of Cork Company; if so, to outline its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61530/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

Further to this matter, I can confirm that the Port of Cork Company’s 2023 accounts were subject to the standard statutory audit process, in accordance with governing legislation and Government policy. The audit was completed and published as part of the company’s 2023 Annual Report.

No independent forensic audit or investigation was commissioned in relation to the late submission of these accounts. The statutory audit did not identify any material irregularities or issues of concern. The report confirmed that the financial statements give a true and fair view of the company’s affairs for the year ended 31 December 2023.

I am satisfied that the company remains in compliance with its governance and reporting requirements. My Department will continue to monitor its performance and ensure adherence to all relevant legislation.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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319. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the serious governance and internal control concerns reported at the Port of Cork Company, located in his own constituency, and raised with several Ministers by former company executives. [61531/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I refer the Deputy to the recent responses to Questions Nos. 180 to 187, inclusive, which were issued to him on 6 November 2025.

In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies ('the Code of Practice'), the delivery of good governance standards across all aspects of the Port’s activities is primarily a matter for the Board of the Port of Cork Company, with my Department providing oversight to ensure good governance is achieved across a broad range of activities, including the process around Chief Executive Officer appointments. My Department is in regular contact with the company and monitors any such issues. In accordance with the requirements set out in the Code of Practice, my Department maintains regular and structured engagement with the State-owned commercial ports, and any issues are brought to my Department’s attention through appropriate channels. I am not aware of any current concerns in this regard.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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320. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the Comptroller and Auditor General to carry out a special report into the Port of Cork Company, to include its corporate governance practices, internal control systems, and any potential financial irregularities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61532/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (‘the Code of Practice’), the delivery of good governance standards across all aspects of the Port of Cork Company’s (‘PoCC’) activities is primarily a matter for the Board of PoCC, with my Department providing oversight to ensure good governance is achieved across a broad range of activities, including governance practices, internal control systems and potential financial irregularities. My Department is in regular contact with the company and monitors any such issues. In accordance with the requirements set out in the Code of Practice, my Department maintains regular and structured engagement with the State-owned commercial ports, and any issues are brought to my Department’s attention through appropriate channels.

The Port of Cork Company’s annual accounts are subject to the standard statutory audit process, in accordance with governing legislation and Government policy. They are audited and published as part of the company’s Annual Report.

To note, the Comptroller and Auditor General (‘C&AG’) is independent under the Comptroller and Auditor General Acts and decides the scope and timing of audits independently. I, as Minister, cannot direct the C&AG, but can ensure that concerns raised about governance or other material irregularities can be brought to his attention. It is then for the C&AG to determine whether a special report or further examination is appropriate.

I am not aware of any such material irregularities or issues of concern and can confirm that PoCC remains in compliance with its governance and reporting requirements.