Departmental Agencies Board Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2015

Thursday, 29 January 2015

Questions (188)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

188. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total number of representations in written or oral form he or his officials or advisers have received from a person (details supplied) seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under his remit since March 2011; if he will provide the details of these persons for whom the Member made representations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4270/15]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

No such representations have been made to my Department on behalf of individuals seeking appointment to State Boards.

I and my predecessor have outlined a number of times to this House the important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards which this government made from the outset to widen the opportunity to participate at State Board level by seeking revised expressions of interest. Building on this very significant enhancement of the opportunity for Board participation, at its meeting of 30th September, the Government announced a model for appointments to State boards. From November 1st all vacancies on State boards must be advertised openly on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service and at its meeting of 25 November 2014, the Government agreed the publication of guidelines entitled “Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards” which are available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.