Appointments to State Boards

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (644)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

644. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since including the date they became vacant for State Boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a short-list provided to him by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26082/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Details in relation to the membership of State Boards under the aegis of my Department are available on the Department’s website at the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/boards_database_sept_2016_0.xlsx.

In the case of certain appointments to State Boards, statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In addition, in the case of a number of Boards, not all of the appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, and in some situations appointments are made by the Minister with the consent of another Minister. Appointments to An Bord Pleanála are of a full-time executive nature and are governed by statutory processes.

A “unitary board structure” is in place for Ervia and its subsidiaries, Irish Water and Gas Networks Ireland. An overarching non-executive board has overall responsibility and accountability for the performance of the Ervia Group. The boards of the two principal Ervia subsidiaries, Irish Water and Gas Networks Ireland, are executive-only boards.

The table contains the information requested in respect of vacancies filled or advertised through the PAS process.

Agency	Number of Vacancies or forthcoming Vacancies	Advertised by PAS	Shortlist provided	Person appointed
Irish Water Safety (Chair)	1	Yes	Yes	Mr. Martin O Sullivan . Chair designate
Irish Water Safety	7	Not yet advertised	-	PAS process initiated
Ervia	3	Yes	Yes	Mr Fred Barry Mr Keith Harris Mr Chris Banks
Ervia	1	Yes	Yes	Mr Tony Keohane ( Chair designate )
Housing Finance Agency	Chair and 5 members	Not yet advertised	-	PAS process initiated
National Oversight and Audit Commission *	3	Yes	Not yet provided	PAS process on-going
Pobal	7	Yes	Yes	Under consideration
Pyrite Resolution Board	1	Yes	Yes	Dr. Derek Sinnott
Residential Tenancies Board	1	Yes	Yes	Ms. Mary O’ Donovan

*One outgoing member, Ms Martina Moloney, was reappointed, in compliance with the State Board appointment guidelines