The former chairman of the Port of Foynes Company said yesterday he had resigned because of his concern at the high salary levels and whether public sector guidelines had been breached by the previous authority, Foynes Harbour Trustees, when these pay rates were implemented or increased. Mr Sean Hanratty, company managing director, said in a statement he refrained from commenting on "the grave situation" at Foynes because of the obligations of confidentiality on the board of directors.
He resigned apparently after he was not backed by the board when he sought an examination of the salary scales and financial structures.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, accepted his resignation with regret and announced he had engaged an independent consultant, Mr Dermot Rochford, to carry out an immediate investigation into pay levels, structures and related matters at the port.
Mr Rochford was in Foynes, Co Limerick, yesterday beginning his examination.
Mr Hanratty said the board said they did not know the reasons for his resignation, but accepted he must have had good reasons.