Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since May 2008 to date in 2009 to the State boards, or other agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30622/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since his election as Taoiseach to the State boards, or other agencies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32526/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning appointments made by me to State boards and agencies under the aegis of my Department since May 2008 to date is set out in a schedule.

Additional material not supplied on the floor of the House.

The following appointments were made by the Taoiseach from May 2008 to date: National Economic and Social Council, NESC: Tom Parlon, director general, Construction Industry Federation; Siobhan Masterson, director, Financial Services Ireland; Edmond Connolly, chief executive officer, Macra na Féirme; Oisin Coghlan, Friends of the Earth; Pat Smith, general secretary, Irish Farmers Association; and Orla O'Connor National Women's Council of Ireland. National Economic and Social Forum, NESF: Senator Maria Corrigan. National Centre for Partnership and Performance, NCPP: Brendan Duffy, assistant secretary, Department of Finance; Dermot Curran, assistant secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Mary Connaughton, HR Development, IBEC. The National Statistics Board, NSB: Dr. Patricia O'Hara, Western Development Commission; Professor Philip Lane, Trinity College, Dublin; and Mr. Fergal O'Brien, Irish Business and Employers Confederation. The Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Board: Deputy Billy Kelleher, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Clare Dunne, assistant secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We have asked these questions before. There have been two scandals, or embarrassing situations, recently. One was the illegal appointment made to the Residential Tenancies Board, the other the resignation of the new chairman of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority within a couple of days of his appointment. As the Taoiseach will be aware, in order to clear this up, Fine Gael published the Public Appointments Transparency Bill. This is not a Bill of interrogation but seeks that those who are announced to be in a position of some authority would come before the relevant Oireachtas committee and indicate to members what they would bring to the particular board or agency to which it is proposed they be appointed.

Does the Taoiseach agree with or favour that proposal? Does he approve a facility whereby those who are to take chairmanships of agencies or State boards should be in a position to be able to say, concerning their own merit or credit, "This is what I bring to this board. These are the qualifications and attributes I have. This is what I want to do". It would be helpful for everybody. The Taoiseach might indicate his views on that.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Many people are available for public service who have served on State boards with much distinction. We must look always to obtain people who have the talent and expertise to do the job and ensure we have a good cross section of people who are not only technocratically capable to deal with issues but also have a broader public service experience. Appointments should be made on the basis of merit, taking into account the skills, qualifications and experience of the person to be appointed, as well as any other relevant criteria, including requirements in respect of gender balance.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am glad to hear that. In answer to a question I asked in this Chamber, the Taoiseach's predecessor said people were appointed on the basis that they were "friends". I am glad the Taoiseach takes a very different view, namely, that people should be appointed to these positions on the basis of merit. I agree with that.

Does the Taoiseach consider that some of these chairpersons might wish to go before an Oireachtas committee in respect of the agency or State body they have been asked to chair to outline the priorities they would accord to it and explain why they are accepting the job? It is not an interrogation business but intended to help persons proposed as chairpersons.

When he was Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern said he wanted to introduce some measure of involvement from Oireachtas committees in respect of people who would be appointed to State agencies or boards. This is a matter to which the Taoiseach might give consideration.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It depends. I would not make a general rule about but it is important we acknowledge that boards act independently and have certain fiduciary book duties. Too often I find this issue comes to the House or to a committee and, unfortunately, can become very politicised. I do not know the reason for this. We should be in the business of encouraging people to make themselves available for service. Sometimes I get the impression that unless people have a prior approval rating they are regarded by many as unacceptable. Former leaders of Deputy Kenny's party and the Labour Party have been appointed by this Government to important positions and they may hold different views on some of the issues raised.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The revised programme for Government promised the Government would introduce legislation to provide for a more open and transparent system for appointments to public bodies. It stated the legislation would outline a procedure for the publication of all vacancies likely to occur, invite applications from the general public and, from the responses, create a panel of suitable persons for consideration for appointment. When will the Government introduce that legislation?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As I said, the programme has only just been agreed in the past few months. Obviously, individual Ministers have a responsibility to take forward any proposals that are in the proposal.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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With regard to the legislation, I will read directly from the revised programme, which states, "Introduce on a legislative basis a more open and transparent system for appointments to public bodies". It then sets out the way in which this will be done. Which Minister will be responsible for introducing this legislation?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It probably will be the Department of Finance.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Has it been agreed by the Government? When the revised programme for Government was agreed, was it agreed that the Minister for Finance-----

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government will take it forward.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Which Minister?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It will assign the duties in due course.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Will the Minister for Finance have responsibility for it?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I was given the indication that that may be the case, but we will have to see exactly who is taking it forward. I am just giving the Deputy the best answer I can from the information that is in front of me.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Is it intended that it will apply to all Government appointments to State bodies?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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That is yet to be decided. The detail and scope of the legislation will have to be worked out.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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When the revised programme for Government was being negotiated, what was agreed?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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What is in the document was agreed.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Taoiseach does not know what that means.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I do.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Does the Green Party know what it means?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We know what it means.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Can the Taoiseach tell us what it means?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have just told the Deputy that it will be taken forward by Government in due course.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I will revert to it.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is not as complicated as it sounds.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Lighten up; the Taoiseach is in a bad humour this morning.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We would need a dentist to extract the information. Nevertheless, I welcome this section of the new programme for Government in which the Taoiseach's party and the Green Party have given a commitment under the heading "Enhancing our Democracy and Public Services". Does the Taoiseach acknowledge that the essence of what is committed to in terms of legislation is something for which my colleagues in Sinn Féin and I have argued in the House for many years, namely, opening up to the wider public the opportunity for appointment to various State boards, sending invitations to apply and setting in place a panel of suitable persons for consideration for appointment?

The programme states that the legislation will also specify the number of persons who will be appointed by a Minister and will facilitate the appropriate Oireachtas committee in each case to make nominations to the panel for interview and selection. Is it the case, based on the Taoiseach's responses to Deputy Gilmore, that he does not have at this point in time the detail as to the numbers that may apply in each instance to a Minister's appointment or the Oireachtas committee's role and function? Has any of the meat been worked out in terms of the bones of the proposition under this heading? During questions to An Taoiseach and in amendments to numerous Bills, we have argued for a transparent appointment process.

I ask that the Taoiseach give the House some indication of when the legislation will be worked on and presented before the House. Will it be in place before he next exercises his role in appointing people to various State boards under his Department's aegis? Are there vacancies in the State boards for which the Taoiseach is responsible and what are they?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A lot of the appointments I make in the Department of the Taoiseach come from nominating bodies. Regarding the legislative commitment, as I said, the renewed programme for Government is to extend out between now and June 2012. We will take forward the proposals agreed in that programme in due course.

Regarding the question of Oireachtas involvement in this area, I am aware of an approach adopted by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of bodies provided for in the Broadcasting Act 2009. There may be merit in giving some consideration to involving committees of the House in appointments to some boards. However, different boards require different approaches and each needs to be treated on its own basis. I am satisfied that, when bringing forward proposals on any State boards that may be established, each Minister will provide for the most appropriate basis from which to draw membership.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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While acknowledging the Taoiseach's reply, I also asked for an indication of the timeframe he expects to apply to this matter. I know these questions arise frequently-----

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Within the term of the Government.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Not necessarily within 2010.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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No. Within the term of the Government.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Perhaps not before the Taoiseach next makes appointments to State boards. If the Taoiseach is in a position to answer, are there vacancies in State boards, what are they and when does he intend to fill them?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have before me information on vacancies. I was asked to say which appointments I had made. This relates to the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the National Statistics Board and the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership board. These are the boards to which I have made appointments, but I am not aware of which vacancies have come before me in recent weeks or months.