Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 November 2014
205. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42457/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government, almost immediately on establishment, made important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards by extending a wide invitation for people to submit expressions of interest to serve on the boards of public bodies. In accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, my predecessor commenced a process of seeking, on the Department’s website, expressions of interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of this Department. To date, 191 applications have been received under this process, all are retained in my Department, and this information has been used to inform decisions for board appointments. I would stress, however, that such applications have been sought in order to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments, not to constrain it. While appointments are made by the relevant Minister, I would add that appointments to Boards also include nominations, provided for by statute, by Committees of the Oireachtas, worker directors and ex-officio positions. While the precise structure varies from body to body, in total this can amount to a significant proportion of the Board in certain instances.
On 30 September, the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform announced further steps to strengthen the process of Board appointments and my Department will be liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that procedures are in line with the new measures proposed.
