Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

585. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of State board appointments that have been made under the aegis of his Department in 2014 without being advertised; the number that have been made of persons who had not formally applied for consideration of the particular appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46543/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I have outlined in a number of replies to Parliamentary Questions, this Government almost immediately on establishment, made important changes in relation to appointments to State Boards with new arrangements widening the opportunity to participate on such Boards by extending a wide invitation for people to submit expressions of interest to serve on the boards of public bodies. In accordance with the Government Decision of 12 April 2011, my predecessor commenced a process of seeking, on the Department’s website, expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of this Department. This information has been used to inform decisions for such appointments, but I would stress that such invitations are designed to extend the range of suitable persons from which a Minister might make appointments, not to constrain it. While appointments are made by the relevant Minister, I would add that appointments to Boards also include nominations, provided for by statute, by Committees of the Oireachtas, worker directors and ex-officio positions. While the precise structure varies from body to body, in total this can amount to a significant proportion of the Board in certain instances.All appointments are made in light of the applicable legislative requirements, objectives of the organisation and on the basis of appointees having the necessary competencies, expertise and experience to contribute effectively to the work of the particular boards.

Following its meeting of 30 September, the Government announced a revised model for ministerial appointments to State boards. From November 1 all appointments to State boards must be advertised openly on the State Boards portal, www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service and at its meeting of 25 November 2014, the Government agreed the publication of guidelines entitled “. These guidelines are to assist Departments in implementing the new arrangements for appointments to State Boards, and have been prepared by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform following consultation with the Public Appointments Service, other Government Departments and interested parties and provide detailed guidance on the appointments process, including issues related to diversity.

There have been 32 appointments made to State Boards under the aegis of my Department in 2014 to date, of which 6 appointments were made of persons from whom expressions of interest applications had been received.