Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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181. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he intends to fill the two current vacancies on the National Consumer Agency that have been vacant since 1 May 2013 in view of the fact that the agency is soon to merge with the Competition Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29048/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The question of the filling of the two vacancies on the Board of the National Consumer Agency is currently under consideration. In so far as the amalgamation of the Agency with the Competition Authority is concerned, work on drafting the legislation to merge both bodies is on-going and the Bill is included in the “A list” in the Government’s current Legislative Programme. Following publication of the Bill and its subsequent consideration by the Oireachtas, I intend to establish the new agency as soon as possible after the enactment of the legislation.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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182. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he intends to publicly advertise for the vacant position on the board of Industrial Development Agency Ireland through the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29049/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since this Government came to office, there has been a series of public advertisements seeking expressions of interest from those members of the public who are interested in serving on State Boards, including the Board of the IDA. In addition, my Department receives a number of unsolicited expressions of interest from people willing to serve on State Boards. As a result, I have at my disposal a significant database from which appointment to the Boards of the various bodies, under the aegis of my Department, can be made.

In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Board of IDA constantly reviews its own operations and seeks to identify ways of improving its effectiveness, including the identification of gaps in the competencies in the make-up of the Board. The Chairman of the IDA Board advises me on a regular basis as to the specific skills set, expertise and sectoral knowledge which are required in respect of the filling of upcoming vacancies on the Board.

In the light of the foregoing, I do not consider it necessary to advertise the current vacancy on the IDA Board publicly through the Public Appointments Service. In fact, I hope to be in a position to fill the vacancy on that Board in the near future.