Since 14 January 2011, I have made six appointments to the board of the National Museum of Ireland. The names of the persons appointed by me are set out as follows:
Professor Dervilla M.X. Donnelly, MRIA
Professor Peter Woodman, MRIA
Dr. Chris Nicholas, RDS
Professor Gearoid O'Tuathaigh
Ms. Máirín de Brún
Ms. Mary Crotty
Professor Donnelly was reappointed. She originally served from 2 May 2005 to 2 May 2010. The remainder are new appointments.
Both Professor Donnelly and Professor Woodman are members of the Royal Irish Academy and the appointments were made under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (Section 19(3)(c)) (Number 11 of 1997).
Dr. Nicholas is a member of the RDS and was appointed under the provisions of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (Section 19(3)(a)) (Number 11 of 1997).
Professor Gearoid O'Tuathaigh is a historian and academic, Ms Máirín de Brún a linguist and retired public servant and Ms Mary Crotty an expert in marketing and public relations.
The remuneration as sanctioned by the Department of Finance for membership of the board of the National Museum of Ireland is currently €5,985.
In making these appointments to the Board of the National Museum, I was mindful of Section 19 of the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 (Section 19(10)) (Number 11 of 1997) which states that "in the selection of persons for appointment to membership of a Board regard shall be had to the person's attainments or interest in or his knowledge of art, craft design, librarianship, museum curatorship, genealogy, education, management and administration, industrial relations, sales and marketing, or his or her competence otherwise to assist the Board in the performance of its functions."
The selection process for Board members generally employed by me is based on the skills and knowledge required at Board level and also takes account of expressions of interest received from persons wishing to serve and on the advice of the Chairs.