Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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665. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport why the board of Iarnród Éireann has so many directors from the United Kingdom, and how directors are nominated or selected (details supplied). [45426/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Section 113 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 requires a Minister appoint persons to the boards of the three CIÉ subsidiary companies, including Iarnród Éireann, who have wide experience in relation to transport, commercial, financial, land use planning or environmental matters and the organisation of workers or administration.

In addition to this statutory requirement, earlier this year the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced a new process for appointments to state boards. Applications for state boards are now managed by the Public Appointments Services (PAS) and can be viewed on .  All appointments to vacancies on state boards are now dealt with through the PAS website . This new process also applies to any appointment to the board of Iarnród Éireann.

Directors appointed to the board of Iarnród Éireann must satisfy the statutory criteria and relevant experience and expertise as highlighted in the PAS processes. As a result, appointments to the board are made by me in line with the statutory requirements and reflect the PAS identification of suitable candidates to fill the specific roles identified on the board.