Mr Dan Flinter has been appointed chief executive designate of the new super-agency Enterprise Ireland. His new role was confirmed by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney yesterday.
Mr Flinter, who is chief executive of Forbairt, one of the agencies to be subsumed into the enlarged entity, will immediately begin to work with the Government-appointed group of directors to design a working structure for the new agency.
Speaking to The Irish Times, he said he would continue to combine his work at Forbairt with his new responsibilities. "I suppose I'll be double jobbing over the next couple of months." Mr Flinter's term as chief executive is understood to be a five-year one and carries a salary of more than £80,000 in line with Government guidelines.
The Tanaiste said Mr Flinter's appointment would give "added impetus" to her plans for the new indigenous development agency. The new agency, which will include Forbairt, the Irish Trade Board and the industrial training division of FAS, is due to formally come into force on July 1st next. Ms Harney said the Government had approved the draft heads of the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill which would provide the legislative basis for the new agency. The new legislation gives Enterprise Ireland the authority to act in all aspects of business development, research and development and human resources and is expected to be passed before the end of the current Oireachtas ail and Seanad session.
The Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is also working to finalise other aspects of the merger. It is involved in a consultation process with unions and management at the agencies effected.
Between them, the Irish Trade Board and Forbairt employ around 1,000 people. Forbairt's 670 staff are divided between three buildings in Dublin and eight regional offices. The Trade Board is based in Sandymount, with regional offices across the State.
The current discussions are centred on negotiating a voluntary redundancy package. Ms Harney said the partnership approach, adopted as part of the restructuring, was working effectively and had provided a valuable input into the process.
Mr Flinter was selected by a panel headed by former Bank of Ireland chief executive, Mr Pat Molloy, who has been appointed chairman designate of the new agency.
Up to six candidates were interviewed for the position, including Irish Trade Board chief executive, Mr Oliver Tattan.
The Government will be seeking to make a number of appointments to the board of Enterprise Ireland in the coming months while Mr Flinter will be responsible for allocating senior positions within the organisation.
The new agency is expected to have an annual budget of around £150 million.
