Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members. Under the new arrangements, Departments now invite on their websites expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis. It is open to all members of the public, regardless of gender, political affiliations or geography, to apply for appointment to fill these vacancies.

Persons being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State agencies or boards will be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question. Following that discussion, decisions will be taken by either the Government or me, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson.

I am satisfied that these new arrangements introduced by the Government in 2011 have significantly improved transparency in the making of appointments to State boards, compared with the making of appointments in previous times.

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