Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach appoints members to two state boards – the NESDO and the National Statistics Board. The role of the National Statistics Board is to guide the broad strategic direction of the Central Statistics Office and to establish priorities for the development of official statistics in Ireland.

The NESDO board is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, its financial position and enables it to ensure that the financial statements comply with Section 31(2) of the National Economic and Social Development Act, 2006.

Appointments to these boards generally fall into three categories - independent members, members nominated by sectoral organisations and ex-officio members (including public servants). The Taoiseach has limited discretion on appointments depending on the category where the vacancy arises. All appointments to the NESDO and to the National Statistics Board are made in line with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards and on the basis of the relevant legislative provisions.

The Department of the Taoiseach endeavours to improve gender balance on the NESDO and the National Statistics Board by requesting nominating bodies and organisations to take account of gender balance when making nominations in future. The Department will also seek to ensure that the nomination of independent members continues to meet the Government’s gender balance objective.

Current Membership of the National Statistics Board

Current Membership of the NESDO Board

Name	Position Type	Basis of Appointment
Mr. John Callinan (Chairperson)	Chairperson	Appointed by the Taoiseach (ex officio)
Ms. Elizabeth Canavan	Deputy Chair, D/Taoiseach	Appointed by the Taoiseach