John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeframe involved for recruiting and appointing a new Comptroller and Auditor General; the effort he will make to attract interest from the private sector; the salary on offer; the way that the interview board will be made up or selected; if Accounting Officers will be on the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11516/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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At its meeting on 11 January the Government decided to accept the resignation of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) with effect from 27 February. The Decision provided that the Minister for Finance, in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, would make arrangements for the selection of a candidate, by open competition, to be proposed to the Dáil for nomination by the President for appointment as C&AG.

This competition is being conducted using a Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) type approach with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service (PAS). On Friday 10th February, the advert for the competition to fill the post of C&AG appeared in The Irish Times and on the PAS website at www.publicjobs.ie .

The proposed likely timeframe set out by PAS is as follows:

· Closing date for applications 1 March (this date may be extended);

· Shortlisting week commencing 12 March;

· Preliminary interviews week commencing 26 March.

· Final interviews to be held by TLAC

· Candidate to be proposed to the Dail for nomination to the President for appointment as C&AG

In order to attract a strong field of applicants various approaches are being undertaken by the Public Appointments Service. The position was advertised in the press and on www.publicjobs.ie . In addition relevant professional bodies and consultancy houses have been contacted along with other search efforts to ensure a strong field of candidates.

The rate of pay will be €190,000 or €200,000 as appropriate depending the appointees employment history.

No decision has yet been made in relation to the make up of the interview board.