Donal Carey
Ceist:13 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to make changes in the present membership of the board of Bord Fáilte.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Fáilte Membership.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:31 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to make changes in the present membership of the board of Bord Fáilte.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:46 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to make changes in the present membership of the board of Board Fáilte.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 31 and 46 together.
I have no plans to make changes in the present membership of the board of Bord Fáilte apart from the filling of vacancies which arise in the normal course of events. The next such vacancy will not occur before December this year.
As the tourism council has now more or less taken over the role of advising the Minister on policy and policy evaluation surely the board of Bord Fáilte is dormant? Will he agree that its only role is supervising the employment of personnel for Bord Fáilte?
I do not agree with the Deputy. The role and functions of Bord Fáilte are laid down in various Acts. I answered the questions regarding changes in the present membership of Bord Fáilte, if I make any changes regarding its functions I will notify all Members.
The Minister said he has no intention of making any changes to the board of Bord Fáilte apart from filling casual vacancies. Will he advise the House whether he thinks there will be a Bord Fáilte, to which appointments can be made, by the end of the year when the first vacancy arises?
I expect so, Deputy.
When casual vacancies arise in the future what criteria will the Minister use for the appointment of personnel? Will they have to be involved in tourism or does the Minister intend to appoint people from different interests to give Bord Fáilte a broader view of tourism?
I will do as my predecessors did in the past; I will appoint those whom I consider the best people for the job.
Not necessarily from the Minister's party.