Four directors appointed to airport body

Four new directors have been appointed to the Dublin Airport Authority after the Government raised concerns there might be a conflict of interest among some of the original nominees.

The four directors will sit on the board to represent the workers at the airport on an interim basis. They have been nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

The Department of Transport in a letter sent to Congress on Wednesday said there could be a possible perception that some of the original nominees could have a conflict of interest. However, it stressed the individuals were all highly competent and qualified for the role.

Among those nominated originally by the ICTU were Mr Greg Sparks, a director with Farrell Grant Sparks and Mr Eugene McMahon, a partner with Mazars, the professional services firm. Also nominated were solicitor Mr David Beattie and economist Mr Paul Sweeney.

Farrell Grant Sparks and Mazars were commissioned by the trade unions earlier this year to examine the Aer Rianta break-up plan proposed by the then Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan. Their reports raised a range of questions about the benefits of this plan. It is understood the Department of Transport had some concerns arising from this.

However, a spokesman for the Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen, said any names nominated by Congress at any point were "impeccably well-qualified".

Mr Sparks is abroad and could not be contacted. Mr Sweeney did not wish to comment.

The Minister's spokesman said regardless of what happened earlier in the process, four interim directors, representing the workers, were now in place and this was an important development for the future of the authority. He said the Minister was confident elections to the full-time worker director positions could now happen earlier than planned.

The new interim directors are believed to be Mr Michael Landers of Impact; Mr Dermot O'Loughlin of SIPTU; Ms Linda Tanham of Mandate and Mr Arthur Hall of the TEEU.

The trade unions have been unable to agree on a process to elect permanent worker directors. SIPTU, which represents about 82 per cent of the workforce at Dublin Airport, could possibly secure all four positions if there was a straight election.

Despite the differences over the mechanism, the unions are all anxious to have some presence on the new 12-person board. Already the board has held its first meeting and is due to draw up a fresh business plan.

The board's chairman, Mr Gary McGann, has already told staff that significant change can be expected.

The Dublin Airport Authority is responsible for the assets and liabilities of the three airports formerly managed by Aer Rianta for at least a year. When business plans have been drawn up for the three airports, approval must then be sought before the airports can be split into autonomous entities.