Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 484: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she 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 her or the Government; the reason, in each case, for the vacancy; and when each vacancy will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24186/05]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 485: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she 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 her or the Government; and the mechanisms envisaged by which the appointees will be selected. [24200/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.

In appointing persons to the boards under my aegis, I follow the guidelines set out in the Cabinet handbook regarding eligibility, transparency and gender balance. The Department of Finance, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, has been considering whether tax clearance certificates can and should be required of those being considered for appointment to State boards. Based on the outcome of that process, further consideration will be given as to whether any changes to the existing arrangements is appropriate or not.

The position with regard to vacancies on boards of statutory or State bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows. There are currently no vacancies on the board of An Bord Bia. Four vacancies will arise in the ordinary membership of the board of An Bord Bia between now and 31 December 2005. These vacancies will occur on the expiry of the terms of office of four members, all of whom are eligible for re-appointment.

On Coillte Teoranta, the period of appointment of the current worker representative expired on the 13 May 2005. Therefore a vacancy currently exists on the board. There is a long-standing arrangement concerning worker representation on the Coillte Teoranta board of directors, which rotates between IMPACT and SIPTU, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been asked by this Department to forward the names of two nominees to fill the current vacancy.

There is at present one vacancy on the board of the National Milk Agency. Except for the chairmanship, I do not have discretion in the filling of places on the board of the agency. Producer members are elected by the registered producers, while representatives of the other sectors are nominated by various interest groups.