Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013
15. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacant positions that have emerged in boards under the auspices of his Department since March 2011; the number that were publically advertised; the number of applicants for the position; the number of appointees drawn down from public applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11663/13]
View answerI am interpreting the Deputy’s question in a broad manner so as to provide the information which I believe he is seeking. The term State Boards is somewhat imprecise as it includes bodies with a wide and diverse range of functions many of which would not fall into the more commonly understood definition of Board which is a body with a governance oversight of an organisation. To be of assistance to the Deputy I have interpreted his question as embracing all bodies called Boards, irrespective of their functions, as well as other bodies with a governance remit whose title does not include the term “Board”. Details of the vacancies that occurred throughout the following 17 bodies during the period in question are set out below along with details of those cases where expressions of interest were sought from the public.
Censorship of Publications Board
Five vacancies occurred. I advertised for expressions of interest on 1st March 2013, closing date is 22nd March 2013.
Censorship of Publications Appeal Board
Five vacancies occurred. I advertised for expressions of interest on 1st March 2013, closing date is 22nd March 2013.
Children Detention Schools Board of Management
One vacancy occurred. The person appointed was a civil servant.
Courts Service Board
Fifteen vacancies occurred. The Courts Service Board has 17 members, it is chaired by the Chief Justice and includes eight other judges, the CEO of the Courts Service, persons nominated by the Law Society, Bar Council and ICTU, an elected staff representative and three persons nominated by the Minister for Justice. Of the 15 vacancies, three were filled by persons nominated by myself including a civil servant from my Department.
Garda Síochána Arbitration Board
Four vacancies occurred and four appointments were made.
Garda Síochána Complaints Board
Nine vacancies occurred. Eight of the outgoing members were re-appointed as the Board, which has been replaced by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, only has a few outstanding cases on hands. The 9th appointee is a civil servant.
Judicial Appointments Advisory Board
Three vacancies occurred and three appointments were made. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board consists of 10 members, it is chaired by the Chief Justice and includes three other judges, the Attorney General, persons nominated by the Law Society and Bar Council and three persons nominated by the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Legal Aid Board
Fourteen vacancies occurred. Of the 14 appointments to this Board, eight were civil or public servants.
Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board
Three vacancies occurred and three appointments were made.
National Disability Authority
One vacancy occurred. I made an appointment after seeking expressions of interest of which I received 12 applications. This appointment was from a public applicant.
Parole Board
Six vacancies occurred and six appointments were made, two of those appointments were serving public servants.
Private Security Appeal Board
Four vacancies occurred. The Government appointed four people on 3rd April, 2012. The proposed Chairperson appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence.
Private Security Authority
Eleven vacancies occurred. I invited expressions of interest for membership of a new Board. In total, twenty-nine expressions of interest were received - I am still considering the applications and expects to be in a position to make a decision shortly. Although there are eleven vacancies on the Board, in accordance with the relevant legislation, four of these will be nominated representatives from my own Department, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, An Garda Síochána and the Authority itself.
Property Registration Authority
Three vacancies occurred. I made three appointments to the Authority, of which, in accordance with legislation, one is a nominee of the Law Society, one a nominee of the Bar Council and the 3rd, the elected Property Registration Authority staff representative.
Property Services Appeal Board - established 24th July 2012
Six vacancies occurred. The Government made six appointments after seeking expressions of interest of which my Department received 41 applications. Those appointed were public applicants. The proposed Chairperson appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence.
Property Services Regulatory Authority - established 3rd April 2012
Eleven vacancies occurred. I made 11 appointments after seeking expressions of interest from members of the public. I received 114 applications. Nine of those appointed were public applicants, one is a civil servant and the Chairperson, who was a member of the Property Services Regulatory Authority Implementation Team, was appointed in order to provided continuity to the Authority which has operated on a non-statutory basis for a number of years. The proposed Chairperson appeared before the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence.
The Equality Authority
Fourteen vacancies occurred. The outgoing Board of the Equality Authority accepted reappointment by me in September 2011 for a further term which concluded at end of July 2012, and therefore issues of selection did not arise. Three members of the outgoing Human Rights Commission, which is appointed by Government accepted reappointment from December 2011 until end May 2012. The Deputy will be aware that the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority are in the process of merging to form the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). An independent selection process in relation to the membership of the new Commission is underway and members of the public were invited to apply. The intention is that the successful applicants will be appointed by myself and by Government to the two existing bodies, pending enactment of the necessary legislation to effect the merger. It is also intended that the successful applicants will meet with the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality.
