Appointments to State Boards

Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Ceisteanna (257)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

257. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in respect of State boards under his Department's remit, the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies on State boards ; the number of vacancies on State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process from March 2011 to date. [23585/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Finance

In response to the Deputy's query, please find, in tabular form, the number of appointments to State boards, the number of vacancies on State boards, the number of vacancies on State boards publically advertised and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process from March 2011 to date. I have not included ex-officio members in the figures provided.

I would ask the Deputy to note that the National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee, State Claims Agency and the National Development Finance Agency have all been dissolved following the commencement of the relevant sections of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014. Under transitional provisions, pending the transfer of all NPRF assets and liabilities to the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission will consist of one Member, the Chief Executive of the NTMA.

State Board	Number of Appointments from March 2011 to June 2015	Number of vacancies since March 2011 to June 2015	Number of vacancies publically advertised since March 2011 to June 2015	Number of appointments drawn from public advertisement process
Central Bank Commission	5 Since March 2011, four members of the Central Bank Commission have been re-appointed. One member was newly appointed.	5 Section 18CA(1)(b) of the Central Bank Act 1942, as amended, provides that the Central Bank Commission comprises of at least 6, but no more than 8, members appointed by the Minister. The Commission currently comprises of 6 members appointed by the Minister. The Minister has the discretion to appoint 2 additional members.	1	1 Expressions of interest were sought for positions on the Central Bank Commission in 2012
Financial Services Ombudsman Council (FSOC)	7	10 (Although the full complement of 10 has not been filled over the past number of years, there is an option for the Minister to appoint people to fill all positions)	The FSOC members were re-appointed in October 2013.
Irish Fiscal Advisory Council	5	2	The initial 5 appointments were not publically advertised. Following the term ending of a Council Member in December 2014, the vacancy was filled through the State Boards appointments process. A current vacancy will shortly be advertised publically through the State Boards appointments process.	The composition of a body such as a Fiscal Council is critical to its independence and credibility. In following the Common Principles set by the European Commission under the Fiscal Compact, in 2011 we sought candidates who hold valuable experience and demonstrate competence in their fields of expertise. A significant number of potential candidates were considered against a range of criteria. The criteria included the desire of having a mix of appropriate backgrounds, namely academia, the financial sector/financial markets and public finance; expertise in macroeconomic/microeconomic and a strong international dimension, in addition to the need to take gender considerations into account. As would be normal practice, the process by which potential nominees were identified, considered and selected involved officials from my Department. The final decisions regarding the appointments were made by me following consultations with Cabinet colleagues and others. Following the term ending of one of the initial Council Members in December 2014, the vacancy was filled through the State Boards appointments process. A current vacancy will shortly be advertised publically through the State Boards appointments process.
NAMA	5	7	These posts were not publicly advertised.	3 Members were reappointments. 2 Members were Ministerial appointments.
Credit Union Restructuring Board (REBO)	13	13 (a further vacancy arose following a resignation on 30/6/2014 but the vacancy is not currently filled)	Board posts were advertised seeking expressions of interest.	6 appointments were made by the Minister as a result of expressions of interest received.
Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI)	10	10	6 appointments to the board were publically advertised on the Public Appointments Service.	6 Appointments
National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee	4	4	The appointments to the board were not publicly advertised.	It has been the practice since the establishment of the National Treasury Management Agency to appoint the Secretary General of the Department of Finance to the Advisory Committee. 2 posts relate to the appointment of the Secretary General (2011 and 2013). 1 post was a reappointment. 1 post was a Ministerial nomination.
National Pension Reserve Fund Commission	2	2	These posts were not publicly advertised.	Both posts were reappointments
State Claims Agency	5	5	1 Post was not advertised as it was a re-appointment. 2 posts were Department nominees (A Department of Health representative has, by convention, been appointed to the SCA Policy Committee).	2 posts were advertised on the websites of the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform and drawn from this process.
National Development Finance Agency	4	4	1 post was a reappointment. 3 posts were advertised on Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform websites.	2 posts were made as a result of the public advertisements.
National Treasury Management Agency Members (The Board)	6	6	These positions were advertised through the Department of Finance website.	5 posts were Ministerial nominations. 1 appointment was made as a result of applications made through the Department's website.