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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.

Dan Boyle

Question:

266 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of nominations and appointments made by him since 6 June 2002; and the number of and areas where vacancies for such appointments will arise and when. [11865/03]

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has made the following nominations and appointments since 6 June 2002: Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange, Fulbright Commission. In August 2002, the Minister for Foreign Affairs re-appointed two of the then current board members for a second term – Professor Pat Fottrell, UCG, chairman; and Dr. Don Thornhill, HEA.

In addition, two new Irish members were appointed by the Minister – Professor Joyce O'Connor, president, National College of Ireland; and Professor Brian Hillery, emeritus professor of industrial relations, graduate business school, UCD.

The term of office of the present commission runs until July 2004. All four of the current members will be eligible for re-appointment at that time. The other four members are US citizens appointed by the US ambassador to Ireland.

During the period referred to by the Deputy, the Minister for Foreign Affairs appointed honorary consuls in Colombo, Istanbul, Los Angeles and Melbourne and honorary consuls general in Bombay and Montreal. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is not possible to say when vacancies for such appointments will arise.

In February 2003, the Minister for Foreign Affairs re-constituted the Joint Department of Foreign Affairs/Non-Governmental Organisations Standing Committee on Human Rights for a period of two years. This involved the appointment of the following 16 nominees to the committee – Ms Neva Khan, GOAL; Ms Aisling Reidy, director, Irish Council of Civil Liberties; Mr. Michael O'Brien, Trócaire; Ms Karen Kenny, International Human Rights Trust; Mr. Cónal O'Caoimh, Comhlámh; Ms Mary Lawlor, director, Frontline; Ms Siobhan Ní Chulácháin, vice-president, Federation International de Droit I'Homme; Ms Anastasia Crickley, chairperson, National Consultative Commission on Racism and Intercuturalism; Ms Angela Kerrins, Rehab Care; Mr. Paul Burns; Mr. Jerome Connolly; Professor Attracta Ingram, department of politics, UCD; Professor William Schabas, director, Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI; Mr. Hans Zomer, director, Dóchas; Mr. Seán Love, director, Irish section, Amnesty International; and Mr. Paddy McGuinness, assistant chief executive officer, Concern.

The Government decided, on the recommendation of the report of the Ireland Aid review committee, to establish the advisory board of Ireland Aid, ABIA. The Minister for Foreign Affairs appointed the following persons to ABIA for a three-year period with effect from 1 August 2002 – Mr. Desmond O'Malley, chairperson; Mr. David Andrews; Mr. David Begg; Mr. Howard Dalzell; Mr. Jerry Liston; Fr. Gerard O'Connor; Mr. Larry O'Loughlin; Ms Morina O'Neill; Ms Sally O'Neill and Ms Lorraine Sweeney. On 6 March 2003, the Minister appointed Mr. Padraig McManus to ABIA.
On a similar basis, the Government decided to establish the Development Education Advisory Committee, DEAC. The Minister for Foreign Affairs appointed the following persons to DEAC for a two-year period with effect from 1 January 2003: Mr. Peadar Cremin, chairperson; Ms June Barry; Mr. Michael Doorly; Fr. P.J. Gormley; Ms Jacqui Harrison; Ms Annette Honan; Ms Alisa Keane; Ms Frances Leahy; Mr. Hugh O'Neill and Rev. Sahr Yambasu. On 28 March 2003, Ms Honan resigned from DEAC due to other commitments. The Minister intends to replace Ms Honan on the committee as soon as possible.
The following individuals have been appointed to the board of the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, APSO, since 6 June 2002 – Mr. Joe O'Hara, Mr. John Murphy, Ms Catherine Boylan and Ms Helen Browne. There is currently one position vacant on the board of APSO. The position of chairman will become vacant in July 2003. A further vacancy will arise in December 2003.
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