Appointments to State Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Ceisteanna (62)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

62. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a shortlist provided to him by the Public Appointments Service, PAS; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control that are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26091/16]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Statistics Board (NSB) in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, S.I. No. 603 of 2010 - National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010; and Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993.

In the case of the NESC, I appoint 20 members specifically on the basis of nominations from organisations or interests set out in the Act, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members. The independent members are mainly from the academic sector.

One vacancy which related to a nominating organisation existed on the NESC on 26 February, 2016. Since then, the five year term of the Board has expired and consideration as to the best arrangements for the Council and any future composition are ongoing. No other vacancies occurred in the intervening period.

In relation to the NSB, Section 18 of the Statistics Act provides for the composition of and appointments to the NSB. The Board has eight members. The Director General of the CSO is a member ex officio; five members of the Board are nominated for appointment, two by the Minister of State and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act; and two are senior officials of the Departments of the Taoiseach and of Finance.

On 8 September 2016 Mr. John Callinan, Second Secretary General at the Department of the Taoiseach, resigned from the NSB. In line with Section 18 (1)(b) of the Statistics Act 1993 it was required that this vacancy be filled by a senior representative of the Department of the Taoiseach. On 15 September 2016 Mr. John Shaw, Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach, was appointed as a member of the NSB. There have been no other appointments to the NSB since this Government was formed.

Appointments to the NSB and NESC do not require Cabinet approval. Where appropriate and consistent with the legislation it is intended that future appointments to the NESC and NSB will be advertised in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.