Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards, including any appointments to the position of chairman (shown separately) that he has made since coming to office; the details of any remuneration or expenses arrangement that applies in respect of each appointment; the vacancies on the boards that had been publicly advertised; and the prospective nominees that went before an Oireachtas committee for questioning. [29266/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The information requested is set out in the table.

Appointments to the Board of An Bord Pleanála are governed by sections 105 to 107 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2011 and articles 56 to 65 of Part 7 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.

Ordinary members are appointed from among nominees put forward by organisations, specifically prescribed for the purpose of making nominations for appointments as ordinary members of An Bord Pleanála. The position of Chair is advertised publicly. A new Chairperson, Dr. Mary Kelly, appointed by the Government in accordance with section 105 of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011, commenced her seven year term on 29 August 2011. The Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála holds office on such terms and conditions as are determined by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with the consent of the Minister for Finance and in accordance with section 106(14) of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2011. While the pay of the Chairperson of the Board of An Bord Pleanála is currently linked to the pay of a judge of the High Court (€206,616), it will be adjusted downwards to not more than a new entrant Secretary General Level 3 on enactment of legislation scheduled for later this year.

The two appointments to the Building Regulations Advisory Board (BRAB) preceded the Government decision on advertising vacancies on State Boards.

In July 2011 my Department placed a notice on its website seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointments to State Bodies under its remit. Initially there were only vacancies in Irish Water Safety to be filled, but the notice pointed out that any expressions of interest would be kept on file and considered once a vacancy arises.

All appointments will be made in accordance with the legislation governing appointments to each body. The Minister will not be restricted to considering only those who have responded to this invitation. In considering applications due regard will be given to Government policy on gender balance on State Boards.

The website has been updated recently to include a specific call for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointments to a number of positions and other vacancies will be advertised as they arise. It is the Government's position that those proposed for appointment as Chairs of State Boards would make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee.