Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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203. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is responsible for all board appointments where such power to appoint persons to State boards is vested in him by statute; if any politically-appointed State employee outside of his Department is involved in decision-making concerning such appointments, in particular, if, during the lifetime of the Government, a named person (details supplied) has had any influence over any appointments made by him; if he or officials from his Department have corresponded with that person, regarding the composition of, and appointments to, State boards to which he has statutory power to make appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30110/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I as Minister for Finance have the legislative power to make appointments to certain bodies under the aegis of my Department and I am responsible for the exercise of this power.

In November 2014 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform published guidelines on ministerial appointments to State Boards. All appointments must meet the specific and detailed criteria determined by the relevant Minister as necessary for a member of the particular Board.  My Department fully complies with these guidelines.

Prior to the publication of these guidelines or in cases where the guidelines do not apply, in order to ensure the most suitably qualified person is appointed by me, I and my officials from my Department have consulted, where necessary, with my Ministerial colleagues, their officials or their advisors. This includes consultation with the named person and officials from my Department have corresponded with the named person in this regard.