Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

171 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has the authority to appoint legal teams or representatives to tribunals, inquiries or other public committees of investigation under the aegis of her Department; the criteria used in the selection and appointment of these legal teams or representatives; the amount paid, or payable to date, which has been discharged, or is due to be discharged, from public funds to appointed legal teams or representatives since 1997; the names of legal teams or representatives appointed since 1997; the moneys paid or payable to these persons since 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16906/03]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

My Department has responsibility for a number of statutory bodies such as the Labour Court and the Employment Appeals Tribunal. In this regard, I have responsibility for the appointment of the registrar of the Labour Court and the chairman of the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Under statute, the criteria for selecting these officers require them to have been practising barristers or solicitors for a number of years prior to appointment.

Regarding the Labour Court, the registrar, Mr. Hugh O'Neill is paid an annual salary of €31,779.00. The chairperson of the Employment Appeals Tribunal currently Ms. Kate O'Mahony, is paid on a per diem basis for each sitting day of the tribunal. The total amount paid to the holder of the position since 1997 was €258,102. Under company law, I have no authority to appoint legal teams to tribunals, inquiries or other public committees of investigation. Following the recent establishment of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, future company law investigations are the responsibility of the director.

In response to a question from the Deputy, I recently provided the House with information in relation to the various company law inquiries under way since 1997. In that regard, I indicated that the legal costs of those inquiries are being borne by the Vote of the Chief State Solicitor. The position remains unchanged in that regard.