Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24187/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I can inform the Deputy that the Censorship of Publications Board currently has one vacancy for a member due to the death of one of the members. The Irish Legal Terms Advisory Committee has two vacancies, one being for chairperson due to the resignation of Mr. Pádraig Ó hUiginn. The other vacancy is due to Mr. Justice Aindrias Ó Caoimh taking up a position in the European Court of Justice. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal has one vacancy due to Mr. Con Murphy being appointed as a judge.

The Public Appointments Service is currently running a competition for the appointment of chairperson of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. The current occupant of the post was appointed on an interim basis in December 2003 following the retirement of the then chairperson. The closing date for applications was 23 June 2005. It is expected that an appointment will be made later in the summer.

In addition, the existing vacancies on the prison visiting committees are set out in the attached tabular statement:

A visiting committee is appointed to each prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. The legislation provides that each committee shall consist of at least six members and not more than 12 members. The minimum statutory requirement is currently being met in respect of the membership of all visiting committees to which appointments or reappointments are made on an ongoing basis.

Members of prison visiting committees are appointed for a term not exceeding three years. At that point they may either be reappointed for a further term or may be replaced by new members. The current vacancies arise due to the expiration of the terms of office of the persons concerned. It is hoped to fill the above mentioned vacancies as soon as practicable.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 571: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [24201/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Vacancies are due to arise in the following bodies between now and 31 December 2005:

Name of Board/Statutory/State Body

Courts Service Board

Prison Visiting Committees

Arbour Hill Prison Visiting Committee

Cork Prison Visiting Committee

Limerick Prison Visiting Committee

Loughan House Place of Detention Visiting Committee

Mountjoy Prison Visiting Committee

Portlaoise Prison Visiting Committee

Shelton Abbey Place of Detention Visiting Committee

St. Patrick's Prison Visiting Committee

Training Unit Place of Detention Visiting Committee

Garda Complaints Board — Appointment of Assistant

Commissioner as member of Board

Board of the National Disability Authority

In making appointments to these bodies, regard will be had for legislation specifically applicable to the body where the vacancies arise, as well as for the work of the bodies in question, and to the relevant public service guidelines regarding such appointments.