No Interview For NewERA Director

It has been revealed that no interview was conducted before appointing a director to the body that will oversee the sale of state assets.

The head of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), John Corrigan, has said no interview was held before the appointment of the director of New Era.

According to Mr Corrigan the director was appointed from within the NTMA.

This follows the attack on Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, who has faced criticism for creating the special body.

Mr Kenny has been questioned over the appointed head of the NewERA body, that will consider Ireland’s options for raising €2bn by privatising commercial semi-states.

NewERA, the specialist unit to advise on potential privatisations will be headed by Dr Eileen Fitzpatrick of the National Treasury Management Agency.

Her job is to manage the state's shareholdings in ESB, Eirgrid, Coillte, Bord Gais and Bord na Mona and assess the potential for buyers, the economic impact and timeline for sales. She will liaise with ministers before reporting to Government.

Independent TD Shane Ross called on the Taoiseach to reveal what salary Dr Fitzpatrick was on. He also asserted that she was an insider appointed without advertising, competition or interviews and branded the appointment procedure flawed.

"A decision made behind closed doors like that is unacceptable, at any stage," Mr Ross said.

Mr Kenny has however defended the appointment saying that nothing "underhand" has went on.

Meanwhile the NTMA Chief Executive refused to divulge how much the director is being paid.

Mr Corrigan said Deputy Ross's criticism in the Dáil and in his newspaper column was source of great disquiet to him.

He said it was a strength of the NTMA that they had an internal candidate who could fill this position.

(LB/BMcC)