Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 370: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of appointments he has made to the boards of public bodies in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; if he will name each appointee; the details of the remuneration associated with each position in each year; the expenses claimed by each appointee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2746/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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A number of different statutory processes are involved in appointments to State boards. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In other cases only particular public office holders may be appointed to certain boards. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of the Minister for Finance or following consultation with the Minister for Finance or Minister for Education and Skills, as appropriate.

In the context of the above, the following table sets out relevant information in respect of all persons appointed by me to the state boards under the aegis of my Department since my appointment in 2007. Some may have retired from these positions in the interim. Day to day operational matters, including travel and subsistence allowances for meals and so on for officials, board members or directors of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are a matter for the agency or body concerned and my Department does not routinely collect information in this regard.

The agencies have been reminded of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Finance guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses. The Government decision to reduce travel and subsistence rates has been brought to their attention and they were instructed to implement the reduced rates with effect from 5 March 2009. The boards of An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency are executive in nature and the members are full-time salaried positions.

Under the rationalisation of State Agencies the NBA is due to be wound up over the course of 2011. A new Housing Agency, the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (established on an administrative basis last year), will require statutory underpinning. The primary legislation establishing that Agency will also facilitate the closure of the NBA. The Board is an interim Board and has been appointed to oversee the parallel tasks of the closure of the NBA and establishing the new Agency. The interim board is made up of 8 members, 4 of whom have been reappointed from the previous NBA Board. The 4 new appointments consist of 2 civil servants, a local authority official and 1 other. The previous NBA Board had 12 members, 9 of whom were paid fees. Under the new arrangements, only 3 appointees are in receipt of fees.

The functions of the Fire Services Council are being undertaken by the Department since the term of office of its members expired on 30 June 2009. It is not intended to reappoint a Council.