asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state in respect of State bodies under the aegis of his Department (a) the procedure adopted in the appointment or re-appointment of members to the boards of such bodies and (b) the procedure adopted in relation to the filling of vacancies on such boards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Body Appointments.
24.
The only State body under the aegis of my Department is the board for the employment of the blind whose members are appointed by me, in accordance with its constitution, for a three year term. Vacancies are filled as the need arises. No specific procedure is provided for in relation to the appointment of members but the practice is to invite persons, known to be active in or concerned with the field of blind welfare and who have business or professional qualifications and experience likely to be of value in the running of the board's workshops, to accept appointment
Has the Minister changed any members recently?
No.
The opportunity did not arise yet.
It is a good board.
25.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will state in respect of State bodies under the aegis of his Department (a) the procedure adopted in the appointment or reappointment of members to the boards of such bodies and (b) the procedure adopted in relation to the filling of vacancies on such boards.
An Chomhairle Oiliúna and CERT Ltd., are the only State bodies under the aegis of my Department. The appointment or reappointment of members to the board of An Chomhairle Oiliúna as well as the appointment of members to fill vacancies, are made in accordance with the procedure set out in the First Schedule to the Industrial Training Act, 1967. The relevant procedure in the case of CERT Ltd., is set out in the articles of association of that body.
Do the appointments to this and other boards that come under the Minister's aegis come before the Government for approval?
Deputy Blaney would probably know as much about that as I would. Many of the boards are entirely an arrangement for the Minister personally. Some of them, at the Minister's discretion, may be brought before the Government.
It is for the record. I do know, and I am merely looking for confirmation, that they do come before the Government for approval.
Question No. 26.
That is an important point Deputy Blaney has brought up. He points out the importance for the record of establishing just how this decision came about and I do not think the Minister, from his own knowledge in the Cabinet, answered that question. For the record—this is of importance to Deputy Blaney and, perhaps, other people in the Fianna Fáil Party— could the Minister let us know what happened in the case of this appointment?
Is the Deputy referring to a specific case?
Deputy Blaney wishes to establish this for the record.
Nobody referred to any specific case.
They dumped Mr. Farrell from An Bord Dumpála recently.
The Minister has not told us whether the Government discussed this.
Would the Deputy like me to read him the minutes of the Cabinet meeting?
(Interruptions.)
26.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of State bodies under the aegis of his Department (a) the procedure adopted in the appointment or reappointment of members to the boards of such bodies and (b) the procedure adopted in relation to the filling of vacancies on such boards.
The procedures for appointment and re-appointment of directors or members and for the filling of vacancies on the boards of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the legislation governing these bodies and, in the case of companies, in their articles of association.
Again for the record, do such proposed appointees—I am sorry it is not the Minister that is present—come before the Government for their approval before either they are invited or made?
Would the Taoiseach answer that?
Unfortunately, I have not got that information here. I am more than happy to read the supplementary information that is available to me in relation to the companies that come under the Department of Finance but I have not got that specific information. The Minister, as I am sure the House is aware, is in the Seanad.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether the Minister discussed the answering of this very important question with him since he knew this question had been put down by Deputy Blaney? Did the Minister leave any specific instructions, apart from his brief, with the Parliamentary Secretary?
Most Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries try to anticipate all supplementary questions but an odd time one does not anticipate them. I am afraid I have not got that information.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary inform us why Gerry Jones, who had full knowledge of shipping, was dropped from the Shipping Board? Was it a vindictive action by the Minister——
That is a separate question. This question does not deal with any specific case.
——because he was associated with a particular Deputy? May we now take it that the Taoiseach, as a Member of the Government, was also responsible for sacking this particular man whom he appointed himself four years ago when he was Minister for Finance?
Would Deputy L'Estrange please resume his seat? This does not arise.
On a point of order, when a Minister is not present to answer a question about something that has taken place, perhaps, at a Cabinet Meeting would the Taoiseach not answer the question then?
I think the Minister for Labour made it quite clear. I do not think any Minister here would make available to this House the minutes of a Cabinet meeting.
Nobody will be told what happens at Cabinet meetings. Do not worry.
(Interruptions.)