Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy regarding appointments to State Boards in the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group in each year from 2011 to 2014 is set out in the following table. My Department was established on 2 June 2011 and the Deputy will appreciate that the information sought by him can only be provided from that date. My Department seeks expressions of interest from the public by advertising on my Department's website. As the Deputy will be aware, in making appointments to State Boards, I am not restricted to giving sole consideration to those who have responded to publicly advertised invitations to submit expressions of interest. The reason for this is that it provides flexibility for me to approach candidates who may not have expressed their interest through the publicly advertised process but who have, in my view, a contribution to make and are willing to serve. In the case of certain bodies, board appointments may also be made by the bodies themselves or on an ex officiobasis.

It may also be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North South Implementation Body - An Foras Teanga, are made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.