Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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357. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the renewal of the terms of members of the Fiscal Advisory Council at the end of 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26404/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Under the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2012 I, as Minister for Finance, appoint the members of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.  The legislation also stipulates that a Council member may not serve for more than two consecutive terms.  

The first term of office of two Council members will expire on 31 December 2016. These are Professor John McHale, who also serves as the Chair of the Council, and Mr. Sebastian Barnes.  Officials from my Department have been in recent contact with both of these Council Members and I am expecting a submission on the matter shortly. 

Any vacancies on the Council that may arise are filled in accordance with Government policy for appointments to State Boards.  This involves a recruitment competition run by the Public Appointments Service which results in a list of suitably qualified candidates that is submitted to me.