Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that all of his appointments to State bodies will be tabled for consideration by the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. [21923/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance if there are Government procedures, protocols or ethical guidelines in relation to public appointments made by Members of the Government; if he will introduce same, if there are none currently in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17122/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 101 together.

The arrangements for appointments to the boards of State bodies are normally set out in the legislation establishing the bodies in question and are designed to ensure the efficient management of the organisation. Appointments to the boards are generally made by the Minister with responsibility for the body in question, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance.

In making appointments, Ministers seek to ensure that the people appointed bring a diverse range of relevant skills and experiences to the body. Ministers also take account of any specific legislative or policy requirements such as those contained in the Workers Participation (State Enterprises) Acts or the Government's policy on gender balance on the boards of State bodies.

Where appropriate, Ministers may also consider representation from the different strands of society such as the business community, consumers, trades unions or the other social partners.

I am generally happy that the present arrangements, which follow the practice of previous Governments, work well and that people with the required skills and experience are appointed to State boards. Nevertheless I recognise that it might be useful to give some thought to involving committees of the House in appointments to some boards. This is an issue that some of my colleagues have been looking at in relation to boards under their remit.