Enterprise Ireland CEO to step down

Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland Mr Dan Flinter has declined an offer to remain in the post for a new five-year term.

The chairman of the board, Mr Pat Molloy, made the announcement, describing Mr Flinter's contribution to Ireland's industrial development as "substantial".

Mr Flinter was appointed CEO of Enterprise Ireland in May 1998. Prior to that, he was chief executive of Forbairt, one of the agencies subsumed into the enlarged entity in the same year. The Irish Trade Board and the industrial training division of FÁS also became part of Enterprise Ireland.

"Having lead Enterprise Ireland and its predecessor organisation Forbairt for 10 years I believe that it is now timely for me to hand over to a new CEO and to pursue new challenges where the experience I have gained, particularly in relation to the private sector, will enable me to add value," Mr Flinter said in a statement.

"On behalf of the board I thank Dan for his personal drive, enthusiasm, commitment and effectiveness in establishing Enterprise Ireland and in creating a performance driven development agency which has helped to greatly enhance the performance and reputation of indigenous industry in Ireland and internationally," Mr Molloy said.

Mr Molloy said the board would immediately commence the process of appointing a new CEO and said Mr Flinter would continue as CEO until the process had been completed.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney expressed her "deep appreciation for the enormous contrubution" Mr Flinter had made as CEO.

"Over the last decade Dan has been to the forefront in the development of Irish enterprise. I want to thank Dan for his extraordinary contribution to the development of Irish Industrial Policy".

From Athy, Co Kildare, Mr Flinter joined the IDA as a researcher in the planning division in 1973, while he was completing his masters degree in economics at University College Dublin.

He became a senior economist with the organisation in 1979 before promotion to the post of departmental manager for the information technology section.

He took overall responsibility for planning in 1986 and was appointed to the IDA board in 1988.