Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

1732 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the solicitors or barristers who were appointed since July 1997 as members or chairpersons of any board or committee or other body, advisers, consultants, or as holders of any other position or office other than judicial office under the aegis of or in her Department; the name of the person in each case; if these persons are a solicitor or barrister; the position to which these persons were appointed; the date of appointment; the date these persons ceased to hold the position if applicable; the remuneration paid since July 1997; and if the holding of particular legal qualifications or experience was a requirement for the position in question. [17260/02]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan):

With regard to the Pensions Board, Ms Grainne Clohessy, barrister, was appointed on 21 December 2000 and is still serving as its chairperson. She has been paid €10,160 to date. A legal qualification or legal experience was not a requirement for this post. Mr. Brian Buggy, solicitor, was appointed on 21 December 2000 and is still serving as a member of the board. He was nominated by the Association of Pension Lawyers of Ireland. A legal qualification is a requirement. Mr. Buggy has been paid €6,350 to date. Ms. Marie Daly, solicitor, was appointed on 2 December 1998 and is still serving as a member of the Pensions Board. She was nominated by IBEC. A legal qualification is not a requirement. Ms Daly has been paid €8,890 to date.

The Family Support Agency Act, 2001 provided for the establishment of the Family Support Agency to bring together the main programmes and pro-family services developed by the Government since 1997. The agency has yet to be established.

Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, Senior Counsel, was designated for appointment as Chairperson to the agency's board of the Agency on 7 June and is still serving as chairperson. Ms Sinead Hanly, counsellor, research consultant and qualified barrister and Ms. Muriel Walls, BCL solicitor and specialist in family law were both designated for appointment as members of the agency's board on 7 June and are still serving as members. A legal qualification or legal experience was not a requirement for any of these posts and no fees have been paid to date.

Two barristers, Ms. Susan Barrington and Mr. Colm MacEochaidh were appointed as consultants to draft guidance notes on EU legislation for my Department in 1998. A legal qualification was a requirement for the project. Ms Barrington received €24,091.30 and Mr. MacEochaidh received €18,434.35 under these arrangements.