Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The process by which a person is appointed to a State board reflects the conditions for appointment laid down in the relevant statutory instrument establishing the board. When making such appointments, I must have due regard to the nature of the work of the board and the consequent requirement for any appointee to hold the necessary skills and expertise required to discharge the functions of that particular board.

With regard to tax compliance by persons being considered for appointment to State boards, the Department of Finance, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, is considering whether tax clearance certificates can and should be required of such persons. Based on the outcome of that process, a decision will be made on whether any change to the existing arrangements is appropriate.

Finally, under the Ethics in Public Office Act normal disclosure requirements apply to members of boards, once they have been appointed, where the body is prescribed in regulations made by the Minister for Finance under the Act.