A Galway senator has sharply criticised the decision by the former Bank of Ireland chairman, Richard Burrows, to accept the chairmanship of British American Tobacco (BAT ) calling it a move that is mercenary and ill thought out.
Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames said recently that the decision by Mr Burrows to accept such a position within a company which boasts a portfolio of 300 cigarette brands is cynical beyond belief.
“When a prominent figure, particularly a well renowned figure in Irish sporting life such as Richard Burrows, opts for personal financial gain over the health of millions, by endorsing a company like BAT, his or her motivation and judgment must be called into question.
“Smoking is a major cause of our three biggest killers in Ireland; heart disease, cancer and stroke, and for Mr Burrows to lend his name and profile to a firm of this nature demonstrates a mercenary nature on many levels,” she said.
The senator went on to say that Mr Burrows has clearly learnt little from the “folly” of hurting Irish people’s financial health through targeted reckless lending and is now intent on targeting their physical health by supporting the gains of a tobacco company.
“I wholly support Ash Ireland’s condemnation of this appointment today and find it immoral and irresponsible. I am urging him to reconsider his position,” she said.
