Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was not in a position to make Heritage Council board appointments for a number of months this year due to the general election and the period that followed before a Government was formed. I have appointed boards to the National Concert Hall and to the National Museum of Ireland in recent weeks, and I will be appointing the new board to the Heritage Council very shortly.

Board appointments are only made after applicants have been vetted and short-listed by the Public Appointments Service. Some concern was expressed regarding four vacancies on the board that had not been filled for three and a half years, but it was agreed with the Heritage Council that 11 members would be appointed and I have put a Bill before the Oireachtas that is consistent with that view. That is the reason four vacancies were not filled, and the Heritage Council was consulted as part of that process.

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