Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of the vacancies on the boards of statutory or State bodies and other statutory appointments which currently exist and which must be made by him or the Government; the reason, in each case, for the vacancy; and when each vacancy will be filled. [24182/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The position regarding current vacancies on the boards of statutory or State bodies under the remit of my Department is set out in the following paragraph.

There is one vacancy at present on the board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland. The reason for the vacancy is retirement by rotation, as required under the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996. The decision on the filling of the vacancy is under consideration. There is currently one vacancy on the board of Shannon Free Airport Development Company due to the resignation of a board member. The decision on the filling of the vacancy is under consideration. Under the recently enacted Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the number of board members on the Health and Safety Authority will be increased by one. The formal appointment will be made shortly.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of boards of statutory or State bodies and statutory appointments to which vacancies are expected to fall due between now and 31 December 2005 for appointments to be made by him or the Government; and the mechanisms envisaged by which the appointees will be selected. [24196/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The position regarding vacancies expected to arise before 31 December 2005, on the boards of statutory or State bodies under the remit of my Department is set out in the following paragraphs.

There is currently one vacancy on the board of the National Standards Authority of Ireland. No further vacancies are expected this year. Subject to paragraph 1(3) of the Second Schedule of the National Standards Authority of Ireland Act 1996, the members of the board are appointed by the Minister from among those interests involved in the process of standardisation and certification of commodities, processes and practices, without any single interest predominating, taking into account guidelines issued from time to time by the Government and, in particular, providing for staff representation and gender balance on the board.

Two vacancies are expected to arise on the board of Science Foundation Ireland between now and 31 December 2005. In accordance with section 8(4) of the Act, appointments to the board of Science Foundation Ireland are made by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance following consultation with the Minister for Education and Science. Appointments are made on the basis of the relevant experience and skills of the individuals concerned. The issues of gender balance and industrial and higher education expertise are also taken into consideration.

Appointments to the board of Enterprise Ireland are subject to the conditions of the Industrial Development (Enterprise Ireland) Act 1998, which provides for two members to retire annually by rotation from the board. Two such retirements are expected before the end of 2005. Following consultation with Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment proposed that the Minister reappoint the outgoing board members. The Minister has approved the reappointment of both members and has sought the consent of the Minister for Finance. The chairperson of Enterprise Ireland is also due to retire before the end of 2005. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment proposed his reappointment for a further three years. Following consultation with the Taoiseach and the Tanáiste, the Minister has approved the reappointment and has sought the consent of the Minister for Finance.

Two vacancies are expected to arise on the board of the IDA before the end of 2005. Appointments to the board of the IDA are subject to the conditions of the Industrial Development Acts, which provide for two members to retire annually by rotation from the board. A decision will be made on potential candidates, bearing in mind the needs of the agency.