In response to the Deputy's question the following appointments were made in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department since March 2011.
Fiscal Advisory Council
The following people were appointed to the Fiscal Advisory Council:
Mr. Sebastian Barnes
Professor Alan Barrett
Dr. Donal Donovan
Professor John McHale, Chair
Dr. Roisin O'Sullivan
As Minister for Finance I announced the establishment of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council on a non-statutory basis on 7 July 2011. The Council is part of a wider agenda of reform of Ireland's budgetary architecture which is envisaged in the Programme for Government and is a requirement of the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. When establishing the Council, I stated that the Council would be an independent body whose existence and independence would be underpinned by legislation to be brought forward by Government in the Fiscal Responsibility Bill.
The Chairman did not undergo interview by Oireachtas Committee but the Fiscal Council appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform on 17 November 2011 to discuss their first fiscal assessment report published in October.
I appointed the members having regard to a number of criteria including the desirability of having a mix of appropriate backgrounds (academia, the financial sector/financial markets and public finance), macroeconomic/microeconomic expertise and a strong international dimension, as well as the need to take gender considerations into account. I am satisfied that the appointed members have the mix of skills and experience, including in relation to fiscal affairs, to ensure that the Council will be highly effective in fulfilling its mandate. The Fiscal Responsibility Bill will include provisions for the appointment of members once the Council is on a statutory footing.
Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC)
Mr. Oliver Ellingham and Mr. Roger McGreal were appointed to the Board of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation.
As specific skills are required due to the nature of the business model at IBRC it was decided on this occasion not to proceed with the public advertisement of the vacancies.
For the sake of completeness, I have formed a panel of suitably qualified people in 2011 for possible appointment or nomination to the board of certain banks following a public expressions of interest process. Recently, Bank of Ireland has appointed Mr. Patrick Haren who was included on this panel to their Court (board).
