THE TAOISEACH was urged by the Sinn Féin Dáil leader to “accept as highly questionable” the continued presence of certain banking executives on State boards.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked if Brian Cowen, in his reform of State boards, would take into account “that the former directors of Anglo Irish Bank were currently serving on the boards of public bodies despite all the questions that remained unanswered”.
Mr Cowen said these were matters which were under investigation. “In the interests of the principle of accountability not being breached, it is important those given the authority to act independently, as provided for under Acts of the Oireachtas, are able to do their job in respect of any issue referred to them.” Mr Cowen said that all non-executive members of boards were dependent upon the information provided to them by executive members.
“One should not, therefore, presume upon the idea that non-executive members of the board were, in the first instance, informed or in all circumstances au fait with any inappropriate or unacceptable conduct brought to their attention.”
He said that his response, in general terms, was that the performance of members of State boards determined their suitability or otherwise in respect of any particular job. It was not always recognised, said Mr Cowen, that those who took up such appointments did so out of a sense of public service.
