Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Taoiseach the total number of board appointees he has made since he came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37364/12]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Taoiseach the number of appointments that have been made to positions available on the boards of semi-State companies and statutory agencies following public advertisement; if he will provide details of the names of persons who have been appointed under this initiative and the agencies on which they now sit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40039/12]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to takes Questions Nos. 123 and 143 together.

Since coming into office on 9 March 2011, I have made appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), as set out in the accompanying tables.

Table 1: NESC Membership Appointments Since 9 March, 2011

Table 2: NESDO Board Membership Appointments Since 9 March, 2011

NESDO board members and NESC members do not receive salaries, they are however entitled to claim for travel and subsistence for their attendance at each meeting. Provision for recoupment of any expenses incurred is in line with existing civil service guidelines.

The NESC is an advisory Council which provides guidance to Government on strategic issues for Ireland’s economic and social development. Appointments to the NESC are made in accordance with the provisions of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 as amended by the National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010. I appoint members specifically on the basis of nominations from business and employer interests, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. It would not be appropriate to advertise these positions as they are nominated in a representative capacity.

I may also appoint up to six public servants of whom at least one shall represent the Taoiseach and one shall represent the Minister for Finance. Historically, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson posts are filled from my Department at Secretary General and Assistant Secretary level. These appointments represent relevant Departments to ensure the Council's work is integrated with Government policy-making and would not be suitable for public advertisement.

Finally, I appointed a number of independents in June and July last year. The independent nominations to NESC were not advertised last year, as I was satisfied with the skill sets and expertise of the nominees which had already been identified, mainly from the academic sector. However it may be appropriate to advertise the positions in the future. I am satisfied that these appointments were appropriate, bearing in mind the key strategic role of the NESC.

In relation to the NESDO, Section 13 of the 2006 Act provides that the Office comprises the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the constituent bodies, now only the NESC.

There has been one appointment to the National Statistics Board (NSB) since I took office. Mr. John Callinan, an Assistant Secretary at my Department, was appointed to the NSB in line with the provisions of Section 18 (1)(b) of the Statistics Act 1993. He receives no additional remuneration for his role on the Board and has not received any expenses since his appointment. My functions in relation to the NSB, were delegated to the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Paul Kehoe T.D., on the 22 March 2011. As such, the appointment to the NSB was made by Minister of State Kehoe.