Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources 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. [17044/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Since taking up office on the 9th of March 2011, I have made 6 appointments to 3 State Boards for which expressions of interest were not sought. I have outlined in the table below the details of these appointments. I wish to advise the Deputy that I sought expressions of interest in relation to appointments to Boards under the aegis of my Department in June 2011 and again in February 2012.

The 2 appointments to the Board of the ESB were made in advance of the full implementation of the Government Decision in respect of vacancies in Bodies under the aegis of my Department.

The Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) has had no operational capacity since the sale of its business and commercial interests in 2001. The company's current activities are limited to ensuring the protection of the INPC's position and by extension that of the State, under the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement attaching to the 2001 transaction. The INPC must therefore remain in existence until the Agreement expires in 2016. In view of this I reappointed the 2 existing Directors to the Board of INPC and the other person appointed is an official in my Department.

The appointment to National Oil Reserves Agency is an official in my Department.