My Department was established in June 2002. On specific appointments made to boards within the ambit of my Department, there were a number of appointments made in the period June 2002 to December 2002:
An Foras Teanga
Foras na Gaeilge
Catríona Ní Cheallaigh,
Diarmuid Ó Murchú.
Ulster-Scots Agency
Alistair Simpson,
Robert Stoker.
On specific appointments made in the period 1 January 2003 to 15 June 2004, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 590 of 15 June 2004. There have been a number of further appointments since that date:
Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Bequests
Graham Richards.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Seán Ó Droighneáin.
ADM Limited
Patricia O'Hara
Christine Taylor,
Thomas Cooke,
Gerard Fay,
Ellen Cullen.
Appointments to boards within the ambit of my Department are made on the basis of the appointee's knowledge of, experience and-or qualifications relevant to the functions of the board in question. Arrangements regarding appointments are:
Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests
Appointments are made by Government.
Údarás na Gaeltacht
Of the 20 board members, 17 are elected by the people of the Gaeltacht and the remaining three members, including the chairman, are ministerial appointments. Co-options are by statute by the elected members of Bord Údaras na Gaeltachta.
An Foras Teanga
Appointments are made by the North-South Ministerial Council on the nomination of the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland authorities.
ADM Limited
Two of the persons appointed by the board of ADM were nominated by me, as Minister, and the other three members were appointed following nomination by the Government.
Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 15 June