Sir, - Much heat and little light has been generated in relation to the proposed appointment of Mr O'Flaherty to the management committee of the European Investment Bank. Much remains unclear, but one issue deserves to be clarified .
Mr O'Flaherty, whatever his eminence in law and personal qualities, is not necessarily "eminently qualified for the post", as claimed by Hugo Flinn (July 5th) and by others supporting his appointment.
I have no doubt that, if appointed, he would fulfil his duties conscientiously to the best of his abilities. While great, these have not, to date included demonstration of the skills shown by the other members of the management committee. These are the only objective set of criteria available.
The careers of those on the board include: finance minister, director of a macro-economic research institute, managing director of a bank, managing director of an industrial holding company, economics professor at Harvard, treasury official, industrialist, central banker, and so on . Most have spent decades working at the interface of public and private finance and investment, the areas in which the EIB performs.
It is true that one member of the committee has a doctorate in law, and one worked in the 1970s as a lawyer; but none made a career of the law.
Surely in the senior ranks of the Central Bank, the Departments of Finance and Public Enterprise, the ACC, ICC, ESRI, etc. someone could be found who has a similar profile to that which our other EU partners deem necessary for the job as vice-president of the European Investment Bank ?
For the record, I am not a member of any political party, nor a member of the "meeja", nor - perish the thought - out to do down a fellow Kerryman. I am, however, concerned. - Yours, etc.,
Brian M. Lucey, Sallins Bridge, Co Kildare.