Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of State board appointments that have been made under the aegis of her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [46550/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In order to be of assistance to the Deputy I have interpreted his question as encompassing all bodies called Boards, irrespective of their functions, as well as other bodies with a governance remit whose title does not include the term “Board”.

National Disability Authority

Thirteen appointments were made to the National Disability Authority (NDA) board in 2014. Expressions of interest were publicly sought prior to these appointments being made.Of these thirteen appointments, two appointments to the Board were made from nominations of relevant Ministers, as prescribed in the National Disability Authority Act 1999 and one appointment of an elected member of the staff of the NDA was made (also a requirement of that Act).

Courts Service Board

Ten appointments made in 2014. These positions were not advertised as they were filled by nominations from the judiciary, Courts Service, Bar Council, Law Society and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

Judicial Appointments Advisory Board

Four appointments made in 2014. One was the nomination of the Law Society and one was the nomination of the Bar Council. Two were persons nominated by the Minister for Justice and Equality under Section 13(2)(c) of the Court and Courts Officers Act, 1995.

Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board

One appointment made in 2014. This appointment was made under Section 11 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. The position of Chairperson of the Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board was not advertised. The Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, 2006 provides the legislative basis for the Review Board andprovides that the Chairperson must be a practising barrister or solicitor with at least 10 years experience or a judge or retired judge of the Circuit Court, High Court or Supreme Court.

Parole Board

Three appointments made in 2014. None of the positions were publicly advertised.

Charities Regulatory Authority Board

In 2014 sixteen appointments were made to the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) Board. These posts were publicly advertised.

Property Registration Authority

Seven appointments were made in 2014. This included the reappointment of the Chairman, having regard to the necessity for continuity in the ongoing work to effect the merger of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland. One position (an Officer of the Minister) was filled in accordance with Section 11 (5) (c) of the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006. The other five appointees had responded to an advertisement for expressions of interest.

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)

Fifteen members of the new Commission were appointed by the President on 31 October 2014 and the positions were advertised.

Garda Síochána Arbitration Board

Three appointments were made to the Garda Síochána Arbitration Board in 2014. The positions were filled as part of an industrial relations mechanism and were not advertised. The Chair was agreed by both sides as were nominations as members of the Board by both the Employer and the Employee's side.