Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Okay. No. 729B, from Ms Désirée Finnegan, chief executive officer of Screen Ireland, dated 8 July 2021, provides information requested by the committee in regard to appointments to the board of Screen Ireland, an issue that arose at a previous committee meeting. The CEO states Screen Ireland has "robust conflict of interest procedures" and that it is "inevitable however that members of the Board will from time to time apply for funding", as it needs to have a blend of industry and non-industry professionals. The latest board was appointed following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service. The CEO gave a commitment to contacting the individual who raised this matter with the committee. As agreed on 13 July, we forwarded this item to the individual but, as set out in R0759, which we will come to, Screen Ireland has not yet made contact. I propose we request an update from Screen Ireland on its undertaking to contact the individual as well as a breakdown of the percentage of its funding in recent years that has gone to companies associated with board members. Is that agreed? Agreed. Is it further agreed that we will note and publish this item of correspondence? Agreed.

No. 730B, from Mr. Dave Walsh, chairperson of An Bord Pleanála, dated 8 July 2021, provides further information requested by the committee arising out of our meeting with An Bord Pleanála on 13 May 2021. Matters addressed include the fact the board sometimes has to pay the losing side's costs when it successfully defends one of its decisions. The response sets out the legislative basis for this, which includes the Aarhus Convention. Is it agreed we will note and publish this item? Agreed. I understand Deputy Murphy wished to comment on this correspondence.