Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding the possibility of a conflict of interest in the appointment of the chair of the Equality Authority, having regard to the fact that the person appointed, in addition to chairing another State board, is chief executive of a large organisation with considerable number of employees and an annual turnover of €170 million, and is also a director or chair of a substantial number of subsidiary companies within that organisation, both commercial and non-commercial including fundraising; if he has taken steps to ensure that no such conflict arises or is likely to arise; the procedures in place to ensure that no conflict will or can arise in their exercise of their responsibilities as holder of the office of the chair of the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31974/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Dr Angela Kerins who, I am glad to say, recently accepted the position of Chairperson of the Equality Authority is also Chief Executive of Rehab. The latter is an independent, not-for-profit organisation delivering training, employment, social care and commercial services in Ireland. She has served with distinction as Chair of the National Disability Authority since 2000.

As in the case of all members appointed to the board of the Equality Authority her position is governed by the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 and the Authority's Code of Practice.