Shortall seeks clarification on re-appointment of Joe Burke
Issued : Thursday 5 July, 2007
Statement by Roisin Shortall TD
Minister of State, Department of Health with responsibility for Primary Care
The Labour Party Spokesperson on Transport, Deputy Roisin Shortall, has called on the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, to clarify the circumstances surrounding the re-appointment of the Taoiseach's close friend and financial supporter, Mr. Joe Burke, to the position of chairman of the Dublin Port Company.
"I am already on record as saying that the appointment of Mr. Burke was totally inappropriate in the current circumstances, but there are a number of unusual factors surrounding this appointment.
"There is initially a clear need for the government to clarify whether this appointment was made by Minister Dempsey or his predecessor, Martin Cullen.
"While the government may be correct in maintaining that a formal government decision was not required to sanction the appointment, we need to know if the procedures governing such appointments as set out in the Cabinet Handbook were complied with.
"The handbook says that 'where an appointment by a Minister to the Board of a state-sponsored company (or the like) is envisaged, the Minister should mention the matter at Government at least two weeks in advance to allow colleagues the opportunity of making recommendations'. Was this done?
"In addition, it says that 'the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste and any other Party Leader in government should be informed separately, in advance of such proposal.' Were these procedures complied with? If the appointment was made prior to the election of the new government on June 14th, was the former Tanaiste, Michael McDowell consulted? If the appointment was made subsequent to June 14th, was the acting leader of the Green Party consulted and did he give his agreement.
"The handbook also states that 'all Government and Ministerial appointments should be published is Iris Oifigiuil as soon as can be arranged following the appointment'. We know this has not been complied with, but we are entitled to know why not?
"All of the evidence since June 14th points to now having a Fianna Fail government of unprecedented arrogance that has even less regard for established procedures and for the principle of accountability than any of its predecessors. The circumstances surrounding the appointment of Joe Burke provide even further evidence of this".
