Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Finance his response to the recent letter from the Chairperson of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council with respect to a proposal to reduce the rate of pay associated with the chairperson role; if he has concerns that such a proposal risks diminishing the role and capacity of the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4622/24]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 130 together.

Officials in my Department have been liaising with the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (the Council) and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform over the last number of months in relation to the issue of remuneration for the Chair of the Council.

The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 provides a framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance by both commercial and non-commercial State bodies. The Council, like other State bodies, is governed by this Code.

At present, the Chair of the Council is in receipt of a Category 2 fee of €20,520 per annum as per the guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform on fees for members and Chairpersons of State Boards.

After engagement by my officials, with the Council and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform, sanction was provided by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform in December for the revised remuneration for the Chair of the Council and this was conveyed by my Department to the Council.

The Government has repeatedly highlighted the important role that the Council plays in enhancing the public debate and scrutiny around complex fiscal and economic issues. My Department works closely with the Secretariat and the Board of the Council and will continue to engage with them in a positive way going forward. The revised remuneration from the fixed annual fee of €20,520 to a potential €36,192 per year should only be viewed as a solution to recompense the Chair for any additional time worked.

However, I have asked my officials to engage further with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery & Reform to see what might be possible in order to move this issue forward.

It remains a high priority for the Government to ensure it progresses filling the vacancies through the appointment of a permanent Chair of the Council and an ordinary member of the Board.