Boards need business expertise, says Ahern

STATE boards have too many members representing narrow interests and not enough people with financial and accountancy skills, according to Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Dermot Ahern.

The minister also says that appointing women members to State boards is a difficult task, yet concedes that women are more focused than men.

In his department Mr Ahern has 59 State boards, bodies, agencies, and semi-state companies under his remit.