Hanafin defends Kelly appointment

EDUCATION Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday defended the appointment of former Department of Health secretary general Michael Kelly as chairman of the Higher Education Authority, despite an OECD recommendation that the job should be advertised.

Mr Kelly stepped down from his health job in the wake of the Travers Report.

An OECD report says the position of HEA chairman, which has a salary of €166,000, should be internationally advertised to ensure the best possible candidate was found.