I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1 lists the appointments I have made to State boards and bodies in the period from 22 November 2010 to date. The fees payable to board members are determined by the Government and are published in the annual accounts of the bodies concerned. In some cases, board members have voluntarily declined to accept fee payments. I made those appointments on the basis of appointees having the necessary skills, competencies and experience to contribute effectively to the work of the boards.
Table 2 provides details of the existing and anticipated vacancies in the period ending 24 March 2011. I will give due consideration to filling any particular vacancy as and when that vacancy arises and taking account of the particular circumstances prevailing at the time. The Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation has been dissolved as the Commission for Taxi Regulation has been subsumed into the National Transport Authority. A new Advisory Council will be established but I am not yet in a position to give a timeframe.
Table 1: Appointments since 22 November 2010
Name
|
Body
|
Term of office
|
Pearse O’Hanrahan
|
Railway Procurement Agency
|
24/11/2010 – 23/11/2013
|
Hugh Creegan
|
National Transport Authority
|
29/11/2010*
|
Tom Hussey
|
Bus Éireann
|
03/12/2010 – 02/12/2013
|
Geoffrey O’Byrne-White
|
Irish Aviation Authority
|
10/12/2010 – 09/12/2014
|
*Ex-officio appointment.
Table 2: Board vacancies arising up to 24 March 2011
State Body
|
Number
|
Timing
|
Bus Átha Cliath
|
1
|
Immediate
|
Bus Éireann
|
2
|
Immediate
|
|
1
|
February
|
Iarnród Éireann
|
1
|
Immediate
|
National Transport Authority
|
1
|
Immediate
|
*Railway Procurement Agency
|
2 (including Chairperson)
|
Immediate
|
|
1
|
March
|
Railway Safety Advisory Council
|
1
|
Immediate
|
Irish Aviation Authority
|
1
|
Immediate
|
Dublin Port Company
|
1
|
Immediate
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners
|
1
|
Immediate
|
*The Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority are to be merged and appointments need to reflect this transitional arrangement.