Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Every Minister will set out the criteria, the qualifications and the skills necessary to serve on all of the boards under his or her responsibility. That information will all be posted on www.stateboards.ieand the public will have full transparency and accountability there. Every person appointed must be independently assessed and verified.

In regard to commercial semi-State boards, where particular skillsets are required, for instance in the NewERA sector which deals with Ervia, Bord Gáis, Bord na Móna and so on, consultations with NewERA will set out the specific skillsets required, such as accountancy, legal qualifications, data management, business acumen or whatever. Following that those specialised appointments will be made. This is a major change in the system.

What I want to see resulting from all of this is that State board service and public duty service will not be seen to be in any way reproachable. It should be entirely above reproach and I hope to oversee that through the decision the Government made yesterday.

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