Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
116 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the names of the State boards whose membership are determined by his Department; the date on which each of these membership is due for renewal or appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24959/11]
View answerThere are no State boards operating under the responsibility of my Department. However, there are currently four bodies which operate under its aegis. The four bodies in question consist of
one Education Commission: The Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange, also known as the Fulbright Commission; and
three Advisory Committees, namely (a) the Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; (b) the Development Education Advisory Committee and (c) the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group.
The Ireland — United States (Fulbright) Commission for Educational Exchange, while not a State body, was established on a statutory basis in 1991. I have certain specific statutory responsibilities in respect of the Commission, including the appointment of four of eight members to its Board for a two-year period. In October 2010, my predecessor appointed three members to the Board. The fourth board member's term has expired.
The Government's Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as the Díon Committee) was set up in 1984 to advise the Government on the welfare of the Irish community in Britain. The Committee's primary role is to advise on the distribution of Government support to voluntary agencies providing front line services and community care to Irish people in Britain. The Committee currently has a membership of thirteen persons. The Chair and Secretary are both officers of the Embassy in London, while other Committee members serve in a voluntary capacity.
Following the expiration of the term of the previous Committee on 31 December 2010, I appointed eleven voluntary members to the Committee on 11 April 2011, in consultation with Embassy London and the Irish Abroad Unit in my Department. The Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) was established by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. It has ten members, eight of whom I appoint directly and two who are appointed on the nomination of the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Its purpose is to advise on policy regarding development education. The current committee was appointed by my predecessor in April 2010 for a two-year term. Membership is drawn from the voluntary sector and relevant educational institutions. The Department of Education and Skills and the NCCA nominees serve in a representative capacity while all other committee members serve in an individual capacity.
The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group (IAEAG) was established in 2010 acting on a recommendation contained in the Irish Aid Management Review adopted by the Government in 2009. The Group consists of seven members, six of whom I appoint directly and one on the nomination of the Department of Finance. The role of the Group is to offer independent expert advice on the strategic direction of the aid programme. Members of the Advisory Group were appointed by my predecessor in June 2010 for a three year term.
