Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Finance the current levels of staffing in the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal; the current number of vacant positions; and the total target workforce. [29871/24]
View answerThe Irish Financial Service Appeals Tribunal (IFSAT) Tribunal has no employees.
Tribunal members are appointed by the President in accordance with the provisions of the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended) and are assigned to hear and determine appeals on a case by case basis, as and when appeals are submitted to the Tribunal.
As per provided for in section 57D, the Tribunal consists of the following members, Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and no few than 1 and no more than 5 lay members.
The members of the Tribunal are appointed by the President on the nomination of the Government.
The following individuals are currently members of the Tribunal:
• The Hon. Mr. Justice John Mac Menamin, Chairperson
• Patricia O’Sullivan Lacy, Deputy Chairperson
• Paul Brennan
• Helen Collins
• Conor Power
• Eilis Brennan
• Úna Tighe
As provided for in section 57E(1), a person is eligible to be appointed as the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson only if the persons is (a) a former judge of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal or the High Court, or (b) a barrister or solicitor of not less than 7 years standing. A person is eligible to be appointed as a lay member only if the President is satisfied that the person has special knowledge or skill in relation to the provision of financial services.
In accordance with section 57J, administrative duties of the Tribunal are carried out by the Registrar and, if required the Chairperson.
The need to engage additional administrative staff members is reviewed on an ongoing basis according to the number of appeals received or anticipated. At present, having regard to the current workload of the Tribunal, there are no staffing vacancies and it is not anticipated that there will be any increase in the total target workforce.
