Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Finance the reasons behind the selection and appointment of a person (details supplied) to the credit union advisory committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40637/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC) is a committee established under section 180 of the Credit Union Act 1997.  The function of the CUAC is to advise the Minister for Finance and such other persons as I think fit, in relation to the improvement of the management of Credit Unions, the protection of the interests of members and creditors of credit unions and other matters relating to credit unions.

The legislation provides that every person appointed to the CUAC  shall be chosen by the Minister for Finance. Under section 180(3) of the 1997 Act, on 22 September, 2014 I appointed three persons to the CUAC for three years.

To guard against any issues including conflict of interest issues, CUAC members are subject to requirements of the Official Secrets Act 1963, the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 and the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. These forms will be signed by each member at the first meeting on 3 November.

It should also be pointed out that the CUAC member referred to by the Deputy was a member of the previous CUAC appointed from 2010 to 2013 and there were no conflict of interest or any other issues raised in relation to her appointment during that term.

I am satisfied that each appointed member of the CUAC has vast experience and knowledge of credit union matters and will make a valuable contribution towards dealing with the challenges facing the sector at this important time for the Irish credit union movement.