Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
442. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appointments made to State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011; the number of positions that have been advertised; the number of applications to the boards; the number of appointments to the boards that were drawn from the applications; the current number of vacancies on each board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28969/13]
View answerSince May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. On 7 September 2012 last, I placed an advertisement in the National Newspapers inviting expressions of interest. All expressions of interest lapse at the end of the calendar year. In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board.
In the case of a number of bodies, some board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion and, instead, individuals are nominated for appointment by me by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute. These are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland. The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following table as at 18 June 2013:
|
Body/Agency |
No of Board Members |
No of Board appointments since March 2011
|
Name |
Date Appointed |
‘Expression of Interest’ appointments |
No of current vacancies |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
7 |
6 |
Brendan Brice Camilla Keane Sean Murphy Michael Sweeney Dr Owen McIntyre Jim Power |
9 November 2011 23 February 2012 1 January 2013 1 January 2013 11 April 2013 11 April 2013 |
None-nominations made by prescribed organisations from which Minister made appointments |
1 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Michael Carey (Chair) |
19 November 2011 |
- |
- |
|
An Bord Bia |
15 |
12 ( including the Chair) |
Gary Brown Michael Cronin Rhona Holland John Kingston Brody Sweeney John Comer Mary J Byrne John Bryan John Horgan John Comer* Frank Hayes |
7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 8 February 2012 28 March 2012 24 March 2012 7 December 2012 12 April 2013 12 April 2013 |
None-nominations made by prescribed organisations from which Minister made appointments |
1 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Kieran Calnan (Chair) |
13 June 2012 |
- |
- |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
2 |
Pádraig O Céidigh |
30 April 2013 |
One appointment from ‘expressions of interest’ |
3 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Philip Meaney (Chair) |
12 April 2011 |
- |
- |
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
6 ( including the Chair) |
Matt Murphy Brendan Moore Tim Gilbert Tony McNamee William O’Dwyer |
2 December 2011 2 December 2011 2 December 2011 2 December 2011 12 June 2012 |
None |
0 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Brendan McKenna (Chair) |
8 October 2012 |
- |
- |
|
Coillte |
9 |
3 ( including the Chair) |
Oliver McCabe David Gunning |
24 October 2011 - Resigned from Board with effect from 1 November 2012 25 May 2012 – Term of appointment expired 19 March 2013 |
None |
4 |
|
- |
- |
- |
Joe Keeling (Chair) |
13 March 2013 |
- |
- |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
4 ( including the Chair) |
Noel Meade Neville O’Byrne Mary O’Connor |
8 February 2012 8 February 2012 8 February 2012 |
3 nominations made by prescribed organisations following which the Minister made appointments |
0 |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
1 |
Matt Dempsey (Chair) |
28 February 2013 |
None |
0 |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
4 |
Paul Hyde David Owen Prof Patricia Barker Donal Kelly |
1 June 2012 4 December 2012 19 February 2013 15 April 2013 |
Three appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
2 |
|
National Milk Agency |
14 including Chair |
6 |
Elected Members Denis Fagan Eamonn McEnteggart Padraig Mulligan Timothy Cashman Jerome Crowley Nominated Members Eoghan Sweeney |
23 January 2013 23 January 2013 23 January 2013 23 January 2013 23 January 2013 23 January 2013 |
None |
0 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
2 |
Micheál O Mahony Dr Susan Steele |
1 January 2013 4 March 2013 |
Yes |
0 |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
4 |
Thomas Cooke Dr Karina Pierce Brendan Gleeson Tom Tynan |
5 October 2011 9 January 2013 9 January 2013 9 January 2013 |
Two appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
1 |
|
Veterinary Council |
19 |
6 |
Michael Sheahan Peadar Ó’Scanaill Michael Sadlier Deirdre Campion Martin Blake Crionna Creagh† |
1 January 2012 1 January 2012 1 January 2012 1 January 2012 21 December 2011 27 August 2012 |
None |
0 |
No appointments to the following State Bodies have been made since March 2011: National Milk Agency – members elected rather than appointed. Directors of State Bodies who are officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine do not receive board fees.
* John Comer was appointed on 8 February 2012 to fill a casual vacancy left by another board member, the procedure is that the new board member i.e. John Comer would finish off the last board members term. This term of office only lasted from 8 February 2012 to 22 March 2013. He was then re-appointed on 12 April 2013 for a term of 3 years.
†Appointed directly by the Minister as provided under Section 17 (2) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 as the National Consumer Agency chose not to furnish a nomination.
