Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot give the Deputy a definitive timeline as to when PAS will come back to me with a shortlist process but I imagine it will be a matter of weeks rather than months. It is important that we get these appointments made as soon as possible. As I mentioned in my first response, the museum did not give us four names. We were only given three, which was not sufficient. Under section 19 of the Act there is a requirement for four nominees to be forwarded to the Minister for consideration. There was formal legal advice received on 22 May stating that it would be prudent for the Department to consider writing to the National Museum of Ireland stating that the Minister requires a panel of four pursuant to section 19 of the Act and to ask the museum to nominate a further nominee, at least one other female, to be considered for appointment. A letter was issued to the director seeking an additional nomination on 23 May 2018. We sent a reminder to the National Museum of Ireland in respect of this matter and the final form was sent to me and was signed today. The issue was resolved. The revised form was sent back on 4 May. That is where we are at the moment and hopefully we will have this sorted out in the next few weeks.

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