THE POSITION of Joe Burke, as chairman of the Dublin Port Company, following the decision of the High Court to place restrictions on his role as company director, was questioned last night by Fine Gael environment spokesman Phil Hogan.
He said the High Court judgment, that Mr Burke should be restricted as a director under Section 150 of the Companies Act, raised serious questions about his continued tenure as chairman of Dublin Port Company.
Legal sources indicated yesterday, however, that the restriction order would not legally inhibit Mr Burke from serving on the board of the Dublin Port Company as it had sufficient capital funding to meet the terms of the Companies Act.
"Joe Burke is the appointed chairman of Dublin Port Company," the company said yesterday in response to queries about Mr Burke's status. "The company's entire focus is right now, as always, on the important business of Dublin Port," a spokesman added.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport last night said it would examine the judgement but would need time to study it.
"The High Court decision of Mr Justice Feeney that Mr Burke was irresponsible in the manner in which he ran a limited company and should consequently be restricted as a director under the Companies Act, goes to the heart of his credibility and appropriateness to be a chairman or director of a State company," Mr Hogan said.
Mr Hogan added it was also important that State companies such as Dublin Port Company and Fás should be enabled to go about their core activities without distractions.
Mr Burke, a member of the so-called "Drumcondra Mafia", is a close associate of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.