Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:
74
Mr. McDowell
asked the
Minister for Finance
if he will list the appointments or nominations to international organisations or bodies made by him since 1 July 1997; the manner in which the people were chosen for nomination or appointment; if he has given consideration to any procedure for an independent system to examine or scrutinise such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[23470/00]
I have put forward names, and in addition in some cases, participated in the making of the appointments as a Governor of the relevant institution, in the following cases, since 1 July 1997.
International Monetary Fund – in 1998 I recommended Mr. Peter Charleton from Central Bank of Ireland for the post of alternate director.
World Bank – in 1998 I recommended Mr. Robert Carey from the Department of Finance for the post of adviser to the executive director for the constituency.
Both the above appointments arise under an arrangement between the Irish and Canadian authorities. The persons concerned are chosen from within the Central Bank and the Department of Finance by those institutions. Appointments are for three years and rotate between the institutions.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development – in June 1997 I reaffirmed the position of Mr. Tony Brown whose appointment as alternate director took effect from 1 July 1997.
In May of this year I nominated Mr. Tony Brown for director on the board of EBRD.
In July of this year I nominated Mr. Michael Flynn for director on the board of EBRD to replace Mr. Tony Brown.
Under an arrangement with the Danish authorities, with whom we share a constituency, Ireland rotates the positions of director and alternate director on a three year cycle. Ireland became entitled to the position of director in May of this year.
European Investment Bank – in May 1998 I nominated Mr. Noel O'Gorman for Ireland's director on the board of EIB.
In May 1998 I nominated Dr. Michael Somers for membership of the EIB Audit Committee.
In September of this year I put forward Mr. Michael Tutty as a candidate for the position of vice-president of the EIB following the withdrawal of the previous candidate.
Under an arrangement within Ireland's constituency in the bank, this post is rotated between Ireland, Denmark and Greece on a four year cycle.
These three appointments are of course made by the governors of the EIB.
In general – I have also participated, in the course of my functions as a member of the board of governors of the above institutions, in a range of appointments where the nominations were initiated by other member states or the boards concerned.
In making the appointments or nominations I considered the attributes of the persons selected in the context of the requirements of the post. I am not currently proposing any particular change in the methods of selection for the above posts. However, as I indicated in a reply to the House, on 11 October 2000, the issue of top level international appointments is being considered in the context of proposals for Oireachtas reform generally.
Question No. 75 taken with Question No. 22.
Question No. 76 taken with Question No. 5.
Question No. 77 taken with Question No. 10.
