Applicants sought for State boards

Applications are being sought for positions on a number of State boards including the National Concert Hall, the Irish Museum…

Applications are being sought for positions on a number of State boards including the National Concert Hall, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and the Arts Council.

The Department of Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht has also appealed on its website for candidates to sit on the boards of the Heritage Council and the Irish Architectural Archive.

Applicants will be considered based on their area of expertise, relevant experience and qualifications, the department said. They will have to set out clearly any actual or potential conflicts of interest were they to be appointed to a board.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan said it was "an exciting opportunity" for suitable members of the public to shape the future of Irish cultural and heritage institutions.

However, the department noted that Mr Deenihan may appoint persons from outside the expressions of interest received in response to this advertisement.

The advertisements follow a decision earlier this week by the Government to allow members of the public apply for appointment to State boards.

This followed controversy over the alleged stuffing of boards during the final days of the last government's term.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil two weeks ago the Fianna Fáil government had made appointments “based on friendship as distinct from merit”. He said he had raised the issue with his predecessor Brian Cowen before he left office.

Minister of State for Public Expenditure Brian Hayes had called on those appointed in the last days of the outgoing government to “do the right thing” and resign.

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Further information is available from www.tcs.gov.ie.

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll is an Assistant News Editor with The Irish Times