Study shows senior execs keen to be involved in State boards

The study, conducted by Amárach Research on behalf of MERC Partners, revealed that 69pc of respondents believe prospects for the Irish economy are currently more positive than they were this time last year. Only 14pc of those surveyed had a more negative outlook compared to 12 months ago.

The need to create a better climate for job creation was noted as the most urgent issue for Government, with 43pc of respondents saying it was the Government’s single most urgent short-term challenge.

The majority (86pc) of the respondents are dissatisfied with the level of public sector reform to date and 72pc of respondents identified this issue among their three most important issues to be addressed over the next five years.

Almost one third (32pc) of executives in the study said they would be prepared to go on a full-time secondment to a State organisation for up to six months.

In addition, 68pc of respondents said that they would be willing to spend a pre-assigned amount of their working month on national initiatives for change. Some 91pc of senior execs, who had the authority, said that they would be willing to allow someone in their top team to set aside time each month to work on the same goal.

“While most executives are positive about our economic prospects, they have identified job creation and public sector reform as the most pressing short and medium term issues to be addressed by Government. The study also reveals a high level of willingness by executives to play a part in assisting national recovery,” said Barry O’Connor, managing partner of MERC Partners.