John Lahart
Ceist:79. Deputy John Lahart asked the Taoiseach the number of non-Irish nationals who have been appointed to State and semi-State boards. [7536/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 February 2017
Ceisteanna (79)
Freagraí scríofa
I make appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, and the National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010 - SI 603/2010.
The legislation provides that I appoint up to 20 members on the nomination of the organisations and interests set out, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members. Of the 8 independent appointees, members are mainly from the academic sector and nationality is not a specific criterion for appointment. The five year term of the NESC has expired and consideration of the arrangements for a new Council is ongoing.
The Statistics Act 1993 gives me authority to make appointments to National Statistics Board (NSB). I have delegated this authority to the Minister of State at my Department and Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty TD.
The Statistics Act 1993 provides for an eight member National Statistics Board, the Director General of the CSO, ex officio; one representative each from my Department and the Department of Finance, two nominated by the Minister of State and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act. The term of the NSB ended on 31 December last. Nationality is not a criterion for appointment to the NSB.
I do not have any information in relation to the nationality of members on both boards but the names of each member is available on www.stateboards.ie which is managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.