Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
375
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the solicitors or barristers who were appointed since 26 June 1997 as members or chairpersons of any board or committee or other body, advisers, consultants, or as holders of any other position or office other than judicial office, under the aegis of or in his Department; the name of the person in each case; if he or she is a solicitor or barrister; the position to which the person was appointed; the date of appointment; the date the person ceased to hold the position if applicable; the remuneration paid since 26 July 1997; and if the holding of particular legal qualifications or experience was a requirement for the position in question.
[9800/02]
Ms Grainne Clohessy, barrister, was appointed on 21 December 2000 and is still serving as chairperson of the Pensions Board. A legal qualification or legal experience was not a requirement for this post. The Chairperson is paid €10,160 per annum. Mr. Brian Buggy, solicitor, was appointed on 21 December 2000 and is still serving as a member of the Pensions Board. He was nominated by the Association of Pension Lawyers of Ireland. A legal qualification is a requirement. Mr. Buggy is paid €6,350 per annum.
The following appointments of solicitors or barristers have been made since 26 June 1997 to the Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests. Ms Mary Geraldine Millar, barrister, was appointed as a commissioner of the board on 26 November 1999, and is still a serving member. Commissioners give their services voluntarily and there is no remuneration associated with the position. A legal qualification is not a requirement for the position of commissioner. Ms Orla Barry Murphy, solicitor, was appointed by way of a Civil Service Commission competition as a part-time legal assistant on 19 June 2000. Ms Barry Murphy has earned a total of €42,782.08 from 19 June 2000 to date. Qualification as a solicitor is a requirement for this position.
Arthur Cox and Company, Solicitors, were appointed following a competitive tendering process as consultants by my Department on 29 January 2002 to conduct a review into aspects of charity law. The review is being carried out in association with the Centre for Voluntary Action Studies at Coleraine University. The consultants involved are: Arthur Cox and Company, Solicitors – Mary Redmond, solicitor, Philip Smith, solicitor, Anne Corrigan, solicitor, and Louise Rouse, senior apprentice solicitor; and Centre for Voluntary Action Studies: Kerry O'Halloran, BL, assistant director, research, Richard Fries, visiting fellow at Centre for Civil Society, London School of Economics, BA, Karla Simon, Professor of Law, Columbus School of Law; Catholic University of America, and Emma Fitzgerald, solicitor. A legal qualification was not a requirement. No fees have been paid to date on this contract.
With regard to fees paid to consultants in the legal area, the detailed information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
