Gender quota met at nominee level on boards

THE Department of the Marine has said it is satisfied that the Government's commitment to gender balance on State boards has been fulfilled in the appointments to the eight new commercial ports.

No women have been appointed to the chairs of the eight semi-State companies, which open for business today.

The 40 per cent quota has been met, however, in the full list of nominees under the Minister for the Marine's direct control, according to a spokeswoman. The appointments are for a five year period.

The new semi State bodies take over responsibility from old port boards under the Harbours Act. While the State will be the sole shareholder, each company will have the freedom to manage on a more commercial basis. Accountability for operational and financial performance has also been increased, a fundamental change from former systems dating back to 1946.

The vesting of the new companies coincides with the final phase of a £220 million ports investment programme, supported by EU and Exchequer funds. The Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, has said he anticipates wide ranging benefits, including "reduced port and shipping charges, new and improved services, new vessels, new technologies and safer ports". This will benefit both exporters and the economy as a whole, he said.

The eight new chairmen are Port of Cork, Mr Frank J Boland, owner of Frank Boland Motor Dealers Drogheda Port Company, Co Louth, Mr Seamus Davis, general manager, Becton Dickinson Insulin Syringe Ltd Dublin Port, Mr Edmund Browne, general president of SIPTU Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, Co Dublin, Mr Philip Lynch, chief executive of IAWS Foynes Port Company, Co Limerick, Mr Sean Hanratty, managing director, Myson Scanglo Ltd Galway Harbour Company, Mr Conor Connolly, former chief executive officer, Hynes Builders Providers New Ross, Co Wexford, Mr Paddy Doyle, courier business owner Shannon Estuary, Mr Michael Leydon, manager, Shannon Development industry division.