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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

190 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will list each appointment or nomination made by him to bodies, boards or organisations under the aegis of his Department since 1 July 2000; the method used by his Department in selecting people for such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21697/00]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Board

Name of Appointee

A) An Bord Bia

Dr. Noel Cawley

Appointments to the board of An Bord Bia are governed by section 14 of An Bord Bia Act, 1994, as amended, which provides,inter alia, that both the chairman and the ordinary members shall be persons having knowledge or experience of the food industry and of consumer requirements.

B)Irish National Stud Company Limited.

Mr. Tony Smurfit

The appointee was selected on the basis of his general business expertise and his known experience in the relevant field activity of the State board concerned.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

191 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the number of appointments made by him to bodies, boards or organisations under the aegis of his Department since taking office; the number of these which were to full-time paid positions and positions in respect of which a fee is paid; the number in respect of which expenses are paid; if he has given considerations to any procedures for an independent system to examine or scrutinise appointments or nominations made by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21711/00]

The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Boards

Number ofAppointments

1. Bord na gCon

7

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Nominal fees are payable in respect of six of these appointments, while all seven appointees are entitled to claim expenses.

2.Irish Horseracing Authority

16

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Nominal fees are payable in respect of these 16 appointments and all 16 are entitled to claim expenses.

3.Irish Horseracing Authority (Appeal Committee)

5

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Nominal fees are payable in respect of these five appointments and all five are entitled to claim expenses.

4.Irish National Stud Company Limited.

5

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Nominal fees are payable in respect of four of these appointments while all five are entitled to claim expenses.

5. Bord Glas

12

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Fees are paid to 11 board members and all board members are entitled to claim expenses.

6. Teagasc

9

None of these appointments are full-time paid appointments. Eight of these board members are paid a standard fee and all of these members are entitled to claim expenses.

Agency

Number ofAppointments

1. National Milk Agency

10

There are no full-time paid positions on the board. No fees are paid to board members, but they are entitled to claim expenses.

Commission

Number ofAppointments

1.Western Development Commission

13

There are no full-time paid members on the commission. Fees are paid to 12 of the commission members and all Commission members are entitled to claim expenses.

Committees

Number ofAppointments

1. Audit Committee

9

None of these positions are full-time paid positions. Committee members receive no remuneration. In the case of the chairman of the committee, from 1994 to 1999, it was agreed at the time of his appointment that he would provide up to one week of his time at no expense. Time in excess of that was billed at an agreed rate.
The existing chairman does not receive expenses other than travel expenses which are paid to all committee members in respect of travel to meetings held outside my Department's headquarter offices.

2.The Animal Remedies Consultative Committee

9

There are no full-time paid members on the committee. Fees are not paid to committee members. Expenses are paid to committee members.

3.BSE Scientific Advisory Committee

11

There are no full-time paid members on the committee. These were non-remunerative appointments and neither fees nor expenses were paid.

4. The Equine Liaison Committee

39

There are no full-time paid members on the committee. These were non-remunerative appointments and neither fees nor expenses were paid. The members of the committee were selected on the basis of their expertise in this area.
I have no plans at present to introduce procedures for an independent system to examine or scrutinise appointments or nominations to domestic bodies or organisations under the aegis of my Department.
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