asked the Taoiseach whether each appointment to any State board, for which a Government Minister is responsible, requires the prior approval of the Cabinet; and, if so, whether this procedure has been followed in all cases during the past 14 months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Board Appointments.
3.
The procedures for the appointment of directors or members to the boards of State-sponsored bodies are set out in the legislation governing these bodies and, in the case of companies, in their articles of association. Such appointments do not require the approval of the Government except where the appointing authority is either the President or the Government. In other cases, it is open to the responsible Minister to consult his Government colleagues, on an informal basis. The required procedures have been followed in all cases during the past 14 months.
I want to know whether there has been or still is a procedure, whether formal or otherwise, where approval is given by the Government collectively to the appointment, re-appointment, or filling of vacancies on all State boards for which Ministers are responsible?
That is the practice, but it is not followed in all cases.
Could the Taoiseach inform the House in how many cases recently when persons were being dumped off boards did Ministers concerned approach the Cabinet or the Taoiseach? Is it true that Deputy Colley knocked Mr. Jerry Jones off the board of Irish Shipping without the Taoiseach knowing anything about it?
I am not prepared to tell the Deputy anything that happened at a Government meeting.
Is it not true that you sent for Jerry Jones and told him you did not know that Deputy Colley was knocking him off the shipping board and that you apologised to him? Is that not quite true?
That is not true.
Order, Order.