Alex White accused of ‘anti-democratic’ ESB board appointment

Minister for Communications Alex White has been accused of making an "anti-democratic" re-appointment to the board of the ESB.

Mr White secured Cabinet approval to re-appoint Noreen Wright six months before her term in office was due to end.

Fianna Fáil's spokesman on Public Expenditure Sean Fleming said this was an attempt to play fast and loose with the public appointments process.

“Neither Alex White nor anyone else in this Government have any business making appointments that are not due until about four months after the General Election,” he said. “It is anti-democratic and deeply dishonest.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has insisted a person has to be given six months notice of whether a reappointment will be made or not.

Mr Fleming said this was wrong and no such requirement exists to do so.

“ The only reason they are doing it is because they can,” Mr Fleming added. “This Government promised reform in political appointments, but like so many other areas they have broken their word. The false excuse conjured up by the Taoiseach to cover their tracks actually makes it worse.”

Ms Wright’s re-appointment was approved by the Cabient at their weekly meeting on Tuesday.

Union boss

It follows controversy surrounding the appointment of former union boss David Begg as chairman of the Pensions Authority by Tánaiste Joan Burton.

Mr White's spokesman insisted the Minister had acted within the guidelines on appointments set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

“Because the process to fill vacancies is meant to be formally initiated at least six months before the current member’s term expires, a decision on Ms Wright’s re-appointment was necessary at this time because, if she were not being re-appointed, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) process to identify alternative candidates would have to be commenced now,” he said in a statement.

“The ESB advised that Ms Wright was willing to serve a second term and that the ESB Chair fully supported her appointment for a second term of office.

"NewERA was also consulted (as is required under the guidelines) and it advised that it supported the reappointment of Ms Wright on the basis that her legal and energy utility background is a skillset that is of benefit to the board of ESB."