Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the members of the board of the Civil Defence; the criteria which is used for appointment to this board; the name of its chairman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25652/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Civil Defence Act was signed into law in April 2002. The inaugural board of the Civil Defence was appointed with effect from 5 June 2002. As the board's term of office was three years, a new board was appointed in 2005. Section 11 of the Act provides that the board shall consist of at least eight but not more than 14 members who shall be appointed by the Minister for Defence; that not less than four of the members of the board shall be women and not less than four shall be men; and that the Minister for Defence shall designate one member of the board as chairperson. Section 11(2) of the Act provides:

The members of the Board shall be—

(a) the director general,

(b) a person nominated by the County and City Managers Association,

(c) 4 persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have experience in business, industry, finance or administration relevant to the Board's functions,

(d) a person nominated by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government who, in the opinion of that Minister, has relevant experience or expertise relating to emergency planning,

(e) a person nominated by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland,

(f) a person nominated by the Environmental Protection Agency,

(g) a member of the Civil Defence Officers Association nominated by it,

(h) an officer of the Defence Forces nominated by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces,

(i) a member of the Garda Síochána nominated by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána, and

(j) subject to subsection (5)—

(i) a volunteer member of civil defence, and

(ii) a member of the staff of the Board.

The four members of the board who were appointed by me are Mr. Joe Maher, who is the board's chairperson; Ms Kay Cable; Mr. Tony Kelly; and Mr. Oliver O'Loughlin. The other ten members of the board are Mr. Gerry Gervin, who is the director general of the Civil Defence board: Mr. Ned Gleeson, who is the county manager of Limerick County Council; Mr. Seán Hogan of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Dr. Barbara Rafferty of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland; Ms Majella Byrne of the Environmental Protection Agency; Ms Gabrielle Willis, who is the Civil Defence officer of Wexford County Council; Comdt. Kevin Houston of the Defence Forces; Chief Superintendent John T. Farrelly of the Garda Síochána; Mr. Gerry Naylor, who is a volunteer member; and Ms Róisín McGuire, who is a staff member.