Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport since the Government was formed, the number of vacancies in State boards that have been filled by his Department without advertising the availability of the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17039/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Since my Department advertised new procedures for appointments to boards on Friday 8th April 2011, all appointments from that date have followed these procedures. However given the importance of ensuring the right mix of skills and experience on every board, appointments are not necessarily confined to those who have made an expression of interest.

In total there have been 71 appointments made to boards under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport since I took up office as Minister. Of these 43 were new appointments and 28 were re-appointments. Of the reappointments, 8 related to members of the Advisory Committee of the National Transport Authority. These individuals were reappointed pending the completion and implementation of the Taxi Review Group's work. Of the 43 new appointments, 17 were from applications received arising from the new advertised process.

Details of State Board appointments are available on the Department's website.