Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide details in respect of the number and names of all semi-State companies and statutory agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will provide a list of all members of the board of such organisations for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will provide a list of all expenses associated with membership of these boards on an individual basis for the relevant years; if he will provide information relating to the profession or occupation of all such members of the relevant State companies and statutory agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13502/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. Tables set out membership of these Boards for years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

There is no remuneration attached to membership of the Civil Defence Board. The Deputy may wish to note that legislation is currently being drafted to dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer the functions of the Board back into the Department of Defence.

The Army Pensions Board comprises three members: a chairperson, a civilian doctor, and an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairperson and the civilian doctor are entitled to annual fees of €7,618 and €5,079 respectively.

There is no remuneration attached to membership of the Board of Coiste an Asgard, which will be dissolved shortly. In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure, and the winding up of Coiste an Asgard is currently underway.

The only expenses payable to the members of the above Boards are travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines.

All appointments to Boards under the aegis of my Department are in accordance with the relevant legislation or regulations, and are to suitably qualified and experienced individuals.