Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 244: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the statutory processes involved in the appointment of chairs and members of non-Departmental public bodies under the remit of his Department and their legislative origin. [38341/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The statutory processes involved in the appointment of chairs and members of public bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out as follows.

An Bord Pleanála

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson is appointed by the Government from a panel of up to three persons nominated by a prescribed selection committee.

The appointment of Ordinary Members of An Bord Pleanála is made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government following consideration of nominations received from relevant prescribed panels.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Planning and Development Act 2000

Planning and Development Regulations 2001

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006

Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2006.

An Chomhairle Leabharlanna

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Council is composed of a Chairperson and 12 Ordinary Members. Ten of the Council's 12 members are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the nomination of certain specified bodies and two on the direct appointment of the Minister. The Chairperson is appointed by the Minister following consultation with the Minister for Education and Science.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) Regulations 1997 as amended by the Local Government (An Chomhairle Leabharlanna) (Amendment) Regulations 2003.

Affordable Homes Partnership

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson and other Members of the Board of the Affordable Homes Partnership are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The Board comprises: four persons, including the Chairperson, appointed at the discretion of the Minister; four persons from among the managers of Dublin City Council and Fingal, South Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow County Councils; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Affordable Homes Partnership (Establishment) Order 2005.

Building Regulations Advisory Body

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appoints Chairperson and Members of the Building Regulations Advisory Body.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Building Control Act 1990.

Dublin Docklands Development Authority

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appoints the Chairperson.

The Council consists of the Chairperson and 25 ordinary members. Membership is composed of:

two officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government,

one person nominated by CIÉ,

one person nominated by Bord Gáis Éireann,

one person nominated by the ESB,

one person nominated by the Dublin City Manager,

five persons nominated by Dublin City Council,

one person nominated by the CEO of Dublin Port Company,

one person nominated by the Director of the Dublin Transportation Office,

eight persons nominated by organisations prescribed by the Minister to do so, and

four persons directly appointed by the Minister.

The Executive Board consists of the Chairperson and 7 ordinary Directors. The ordinary Directors are appointed by the Minister.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Dublin Docklands Development Act 1997.

Environmental Protection Agency

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Board of the Environmental Protection Agency comprises a Director General and four Directors. All are appointed by Government from a panel of up to three persons nominated by a prescribed selection committee.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992

Environmental Protection Agency (Selected Procedures) Regulations 2004.

Fire Services Council

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appoints a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and ordinary members to the Fire Services Council.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

The Fire Services Act, 1981

The Fire Services Council (Establishment) Order 1983.

Heritage Council

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Council is appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and must comprise a Chairperson and not fewer than 14 or more than 16 ordinary Members. At least seven appointments must be men and seven women.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

The Heritage Act 1995.

Housing Finance Agency

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson and Directors are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 as amended.

Memorandum and Articles of Association of Agency.

Irish Water Safety

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister appoints a Council which shall consist of not more than 13 Members and of whom 5 shall be representatives of local water safety interests.

The Minister also appoints the Chairperson of the Council, who shall be a Member of the Council.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Irish Water Safety (Establishment) Order 2006

Section 3 of the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971.

Local Government Computer Services Board

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

Two Members of the Board are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and one is appointed by the Minister for Finance. The Council of the Board (City and County Managers and Assistant Managers) appoint the other eight Board Members.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Local Government Computer Services Board (Establishment) Order 1975.

Local Government Management Services Board

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government appoints 3 officers or his/her Department by Order. The Council of the Board (City and County Managers and Assistant Managers) appoint the other Board Members.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

The Local Government Management Services Board (Establishment) Order 1996.

National Building Agency

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, appoints the Chairman and Directors of the Agency.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

National Building Agency Limited Act 1963.

Private Residential Tenancies Board

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson and Members of the Private Residential Tenancies Board are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Members shall be persons who in the Minister's opinion have experience in a field of expertise relevant to the Board's functions.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Residential Tenancies Act 2004.

Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson and up to 11 Members are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Not more than 5 Members must be engaged in or have knowledge or experience in prescribed fields. Up to 6 persons may be nominated for appointment to the Board by such organisations as the Minister may determine that are representative of prescribed fields. The Minister can then appoint from among these nominations.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Radiological Protection Act 1991.

Rent Tribunal

Statutory processes involved in appointment of Chairperson and Members:

The Chairperson, Vice-chair and Members of the Rent Tribunal are appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister also determines the number of ordinary Members as, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, he/she considers necessary from time to time for the performance by the Tribunal of its functions.

Relevant legislation/regulations:

Housing (Private Rented Dwellings) (Amendment) Act 1983.

Housing (Rent Tribunal) Regulations 1983.