Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2011
357 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the names of the State boards whose membership are determined by his Department; the date on which each of these membership is due for renewal or appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24957/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table that follows this reply details the position in relation to appointments to the governing council or board of each agency under the aegis of my Department and the due date for appointments. Appointments include both individual appointments of board or council members and/or the appointment of a full board or council.
|
State Agency |
Date for next Renewal/Appointment (individual appointment or entire board) |
|
An Bord Pleanála |
April 2010 (There are 2 individual vacancies at present and a further six will arise by the end of December 2011) |
|
Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB) |
June 2012 (Entire board) |
|
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna — Library Council |
April 2013 (Entire board) |
|
Comhar SDC |
March 2012 (18 individual member vacancies from a total of 25) |
|
Dormant Accounts Board |
January 2012 (1 individual member) |
|
Dublin Docklands Development Authority |
April 2012 (Entire board) |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
Appointments to the EPA Board of Directors are made by Government, in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992. The position of Director General is currently vacant and has been advertised recently. The contracts of the 4 Director posts expire in 2012, 2013 (x2) and 2015. |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
December 2011 (Entire board apart from C.E.O) |
|
Irish Water Safety |
July 2011 (Entire council)(Elections of water safety representatives have been held and expressions of interest have also been sought. The matter is under consideration at present) |
|
Interim Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Early 2012 |
|
Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency |
June 2012 (Entire board) |
|
Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency |
June 2012 (Entire board) |
|
Local Government Computer Services Board/ Local Government Management Services Board (merged board) |
October 2013 (Entire board) |
|
National Building Agency |
NBA to be abolished in early 2012 |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
April 2013 (Entire board) |
|
Private Residential Tenancies Board |
September 2012 (1 individual member) |
|
Rent Tribunal |
September 2013 (Entire board) |
|
Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland |
May 2011 (2 individual members) |
|
Western Development Commission |
February 2014 (Entire Board) |
|
Pobal |
October 2011 (4 individual members) |
A number of different statutory processes are involved in appointments to State boards. In some cases, statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. In other cases, only particular public office holders may be appointed to certain boards. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of the Minister for Finance or following consultation with the Minister for Finance or Minister for Education and Skills, as appropriate. The boards of An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency are executive in nature and the members/directors hold full-time salaried positions. The Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (Housing Agency) and the National Buildings Agency (NBA) are served by a single interim board which was established by the Department until such time as the Housing Agency is established as a legal entity and the NBA is closed down.
In that context, it is expected that a new board will be established for the Housing Agency early in 2012. A process is in place to merge the Local Government Management Services and Computer Services Boards into the Local Government Management Agency. The membership of both boards has been standardised to enable them to act as one in advance of the required legislation. Pobal operates under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Pobal is a private company limited by guarantee. It is not a State agency and the Department does not appoint members to its Board. As provided for by Government Decision S28081 of 2 November 2005, the members are appointed by the Government on nomination by the key stakeholders. Generally, Board appointments are made on an annual basis on the normal rotation of Board members as prescribed by the Company's Articles of Association.
