Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
920. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a specific policy within his Department that seeks to preclude those elected to local authorities from any boards that he may appoint; the rationale behind any such policy; the way in which it aligns with encouraging participation in local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/26]
View answer921. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to commit to preparing legislation to not automatically exclude members of local authorities from consideration for appointment to State boards; and to set out the reasons such persons would be excluded. [52874/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 920 and 921 together.
As Minister, I make appointments to State boards under my remit in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
Neither the DPER Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies or the DPER Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards stipulate any specific exclusions from state board membership.
There is no provision within the relevant legislation governing ministerial appointments to boards under my Department’s remit that precludes elected members of local authorities from being appointed to State boards.
Recruitment for vacancies on State Boards under my Department’s remit are handled by Public Jobs. Public Jobs manages an open, transparent, and accessible process to support Ministers in making appointments to State boards. Vacancies advertised through this process are open to all members of the public and are published at: www.publicjobs.ie/en/stateboards
