Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any of the four newly appointed persons to the board of the Road Safety Authority were known to him before he appointed them; if so, the capacity in which they were known to him; if any were members of the Green Party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40183/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In line with statutory provision, I have, in my capacity as Minister for Transport, appointed four new members to the RSA Board following a selection process organised with the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

The recruitment of four new members was to fill vacancies that arose following the expiry of the terms of four members of the RSA board in September and October 2019.

These Board vacancies were advertised through PAS in late 2019. An Assessment Panel was convened by PAS to consider and assess the applications received. A shortlist was formed and the applications for the shortlisted candidates were forwarded by PAS to my Department, for further action.

As per Departmental procedures, the next stage of this process was an internal review, whereby the shortlisted candidates met with representatives of this Department. All the shortlisted candidates' names and applications were presented to me for consideration, along with a recommendation based on the internal reviews.

I confirm to the Deputy that none of the four newly-appointed board members were known to me previously and I remain unaware of what political affiliation (if any) they may hold.