Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointees.

Michael Woods

Question:

57 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the close family relationship between the persons involved in three recent appointments made by him to key State posts (details supplied); if he approved these appointments; if he will assure Dáil Éireann that these political decisions are in the best interests of public policy; if he can allay public concerns in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1103/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

When this Government assumed office Mr. Tony Heffernan was appointed Assistant Government Press Secretary by the Taoiseach on foot of my nomination. This is in accordance with standard practice where the Government comprises a number of parties, each of the party leaders appoints a nominee to a senior Government press role. Mr. Heffernan took up his duties on 7 January 1995.

I appointed Ms Anna Lee chair of the Combat Poverty Agency. Ms Lee is highly qualified for the position. She has a 20 years record of outstanding work on social and community issues and is currently manager of the Tallaght Partnership, one of the most effective partnerships in the country. Ms Lee enjoys the absolute respect of the voluntary and community sector and of the social partners involved in local development issues for expertise, commitment and independence. Ms Lee assumed her duties with Combat Poverty Agency 21 June 1995. The position is unpaid.

I appointed Mr. Eamon Heffernan chairman of the National Pensions Board with effect from 20 December 1995. Mr. Heffernan brings to this position his 30 years of experience in the pensions industry with the esteem and recognition of his professional colleagues. He is a past president of the Irish Association of Pensions Funds and was nominated by that body to serve on the National Pensions Board, 1986 93 and the outgoing National Pensions Board, 1990-95. His nomination was approved on each occasion by my predecessors.

I was aware at the time of the appointments that the Heffernans are brothers and that Ms Lee is married to Mr. Tony Heffernan. I knew when making the appointments that it was likely that Fianna Fáil would seek to make an issue of this fact. I do not believe the fact of family relationships should militate against the appointment of people of ability. The appointment of each of the three persons in question was based entirely on merit and their undoubted and unchallenged suitability for the tasks to be undertaken. No expression of public concern has been brought to my attention other than that expressed by the Deputy himself in a Sunday newspaper. There is no salary attached to the position of chairman of the combat Poverty Agency. The chairman of the National Pensions Board receives an annual payment of £2,000. This does not come from the Exchequer, but from the resources of the National Pensions Board. All the appointments and nominations I have made to boards since becoming a member of Government are similarly based on the principles of merit and suitability.