Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together.

The National Economic and Social Council, NESC, is the only State body under the aegis of my Department. The NESC provides guidance to Government on strategic issues for Ireland's economic and social development. Since coming into office on 9 March 2011, I have made appointments to the NESC, which are set out in the table. The appointments were made in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and SI 603/2010, National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010. I appoint members specifically on the basis of nominations from business and employer interests, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. I may also appoint up to six public servants, of whom at least one shall represent the Taoiseach and one shall represent the Minister for Finance. Those appointed represent the relevant Departments to ensure the NESC's work is integrated with Government policy-making. I also appointed eight independent members to the NESC in 2011, in most cases from the academic sector. These appointments were made following careful consideration of the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to the functions of the council, as required by the legislation.

There has also been one appointment to the National Statistics Board, NSB, since I took office. An assistant secretary at my Department was appointed to the NSB in line with the provisions of Section 18(1)(b) of the Statistics Act 1993.

In 2011, the Government made a number of changes to the system for making appointments to State boards. Under these new arrangements, Departments now invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis on their websites. In making their decisions, Ministers are not necessarily confined to those who make expressions of interest but must, of course, be satisfied that appointees have relevant qualifications. The Government also decided that persons being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards would be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they would take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question. Following that discussion, decisions would be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as chairperson.

My Department's role has been to apply these new procedures itself as appropriate and to communicate them to other Departments. It is, of course, a matter for each Department to implement these new procedures themselves. Any questions about the application of procedures should be tabled to the relevant Minister in each case.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Table: Details of appointments made by the Taoiseach to NESC since 9 March 2011

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