Oireachtas elect four new members to BAI and RTÉ Boards

expectationlost

"Moya Doherty was a director of Tyrone Productions" http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+White+nominates+RT%C3%89+Chair+and+Board+Members.htm

so she must have quit in the last week then?

expectationlost

Minister White nominates BAI Chair and Board Members http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+White+nominates+BAI+Chair+and+Board+Members.htm

On the Minister’s nomination, Pauric Travers was appointed as Chairperson for a period of 3 years. He will serve alongside three newly appointed Ministerial nominees; Alan McDonnell, Claire Duignan, and Grace Smith, each with a 5 year term of office. Michelle McShortall has been reappointed for a period of 3 years.

Four existing board members, nominated by the Joint Oireachtas Committee, remain in place until their terms expire in February 2015.

expectationlost

Claire Duignan was one of the names the committee were said to have chosen http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/new-appointments-to-rt%C3%A9-board-and-bai-1.1949975 but the minister picked her instead? so the committee will have to pick somebody else when they officially announce

have i got that right

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

Minister White nominates BAI Chair and Board Members http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+White+nominates+BAI+Chair+and+Board+Members.htm

Pauric Traver?! suppose its someone ratively unknown in the industry hopefully he has an interest in Broadcasting.

expectationlost

some thorny subjects are the re Broadcasting Authority the communications dept doesn't bother with any of ths chair designate malarky or going before a committee

Radio_Fan_67

MOD EDIT: post deleted. Do not post personal attacks on people who are not here to defend themselves or blatantly attempt to circumvent the langauge filter. A ban will be issued if this is repeated

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

some thorny subjects are the re Broadcasting Authority the communications dept doesn't bother with any of ths chair designate malarky or going before a committee

Wonder if Labour are making a exit from government shortly?

expectationlost

Elmo wrote: »

Wonder if Labour are making a exit from government shortly?

minister for communication hasn't been before the committee yet i don't think, not that many ministers like to do that, though some have. well 1 i know has, heather humphreys and she doesn't really count.

PQ with Alex White that I had missed previously https://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2014-12-02a.472 where he is hand offish about BAI, BAI do gerneally cary out government policy that one of the reason that Kenny gave for continueing to allow Minister absolute power to pick chairmen

he must be coming before for estimates at some point like others

expectationlost

Joe McHugh as Junior Minister was in committee this morning, talking about licence fee and broadcasting charge http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1211/666126-tv-licence/ although he's jnr minister for Gaeltacht Affairs & Natural Resources at the dept

wonder if he was asked anything else.

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

Joe McHugh as Junior Minister was in committee this morning http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1211/666126-tv-licence/ although he's jnr minister for Gaeltacht Affairs & Natural Resources at the dept

So many questions as to why he is Gaeltacht Affairs Minister and Natural Resources. Remember when Broadcasting was part of Culture. Daft ministerial portfiolios.

expectationlost

from Administrative Officer Dept. of Public Expenditure and Reform

With respect to your observation that the incoming chairpersons of RTÉ and the BAI did not attend before Oireachtas Committees, we note that current practice states that persons being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State Bodies may be required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach which they will take. There is no specific exemption provided in this regard for chairs of RTÉ or the BAI.

"may be required", So that's a "may". vs "current stated practice" ignored, thats a pratice that was supposed to be implemented since 2011, so ignoring old guidelines as more guidelines come in, the Minister might say that they had to fill the vacancies quickly because the BAI couldnt function with a chair and a quorum, well they should have done the process of appointing chairs and new members earlier, its a situation he created.

expectationlost

[not] New rule on RTÉ board nominees http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/new-rule-on-rte-board-nominees-305619.html

However, Mr White has now written to the joint committee, outlining concerns that proper protocol was not followed prior to the committee providing its four proposed nominees to the RTÉ board.

He said that, under section 81 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, and in advance of the Oireachtas committee’s advice to the minister, “the committee should receive from me a statement indicating the relevant experience and expertise of persons appointed by the Government and such other matters as the minister considers relevant”.

“I am concerned that the sequence of steps as set out in section 81 is complied with and I would respectfully request, therefore, that in accordance with section 81(2)(c) you would submit to me a list of four nominees proposed by the committee indicating, in each case, the reasons for the nomination, such as relevant experience and expertise,” Mr White advised the committee chairman, Fine Gael’s John O’Mahony.

“the committee should receive from me a statement indicating the relevant experience and expertise of persons appointed by the Government and such other matters as the minister considers relevant”.

so did the committee recieve this? when

I hadn't thought they committee had officially nominated the people yet, it only came out through the papers, as opposed to last time when the Committee put out a pres release about it http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/mediazone/pressreleases/2009/name-1387-en.html

expectationlost

emailed about five different relevent people about the question in the above post didn't receive reply from any of them

Minister White Announces BAI Compliance Committee Appointments
http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2015/Minister+White+Announces+BAI+Compliance+Committee+Appointments.htm

why are they not listed here? http://www.bai.ie/index.php/about-us/authority-committee-members/ even the previous occupents of the positions

Membership in 2013 was as follows:
Government Nominees
Authority Nominees
BAI Staff Nominees
professor chris Morash,chairperson
Ms. paula downey
Mr. ciarán Kissane
Ms. Aidine o’Reilly
professor colum Kenny
Ms. stephanie comey
Ms. edel Hackett
Ms. paula Mullooly

http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/DCENRBAIAnnualReport2013190115_154057.pdf

Elmo

The 2013 BAI Annual Report has yet to be published!

expectationlost

Elmo wrote: »

The 2013 BAI Annual Report has yet to be published!

seems it was just laid in Dail, didn't find it at bai.ie

http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/DCENRBAIAnnualReport2013190115_154057.pdf

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

seems it was just laid in Dail, didn't find it at bai.ie

http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/DCENRBAIAnnualReport2013190115_154057.pdf

seems to be published on the site now.

expectationlost

not sure which state board positions this is related to but

John Whelan (Labour)
I have two questions and would like to red-flag two issues that have emerged with regard to my exposure to this new process. There is the question of transparency, openness and accountability. I am a member of the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and recently there was a process to recommend names to the Minister for appointment to certain State boards. The joint committee invited expressions of interest and privately conducted cross-party vetting of the persons who applied. Some people have taken exception to that process, stating that it is not transparent enough. Perhaps that is something we must look at. What concerns me more is that, while we want to encourage people to serve on boards, I have a problem where there is an apparent, possible or potential conflict of interest. There is a danger in trying to serve two masters. Where somebody is actively involved in a business or an organisation that has a vested interest in the activities of a board and has a vested interest in the decisions that may be taken by that board, I think it is dangerous if board members have, or are seen to have, a foot in both camps. I accept that people in the course of their lives take part in all sorts of activities, organisations and businesses, but there have been some glaring examples of people who did not have the qualifications for an appointment, and also examples in which people had a vested interest that in my view undermined public confidence in the decisions of the board.

It has arisen that an entire committee, not scoring political points, reached an unanimous decision of no confidence in the name that is put forward to chair the board, yet the Minister still proceeded, regardless, with that appointment. I do not want to impugn any person's integrity, good name or character but I think the process of vetting and establishing the person's bona fides and suitability is weakened if an unanimous recommendation from an Oireachtas Committee is not taken into account.

https://www.kildarestreet.com/sendebates/?id=2015-01-22a.169#g184

expectationlost

Revised sequence: Communications Committee to meet Chairs Designate of RTÉ and the BAI http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/mediazone/pressreleases/name-26309-en.html

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will tomorrow meet with Ms. Moya Doherty, Chair Designate of RTÉ and Dr. Pauric Travers, Chair Designate of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in separate sessions. Wednesday 28th of January 2015 at 9.30am

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+White+nominates+RT%C3%89+Chair+and+Board+Members.htm
On the Minister’s nomination, Moya Doherty was appointed as Chair

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2014/Minister+White+nominates+BAI+Chair+and+Board+Members.htm
On the Minister’s nomination, Pauric Travers was appointed as Chairperson for a period of 3 years.

did we mistake the message that these people were appointed Chair by the minister not Chair designate?

Sam Russell

I wonder will this session be broadcast on OTV on Saorview, or even RTE News Now?

Elmo

Sam Russell wrote: »

I wonder will this session be broadcast on OTV on Saorview, or even RTE News Now?

So far disappointed with what was reported though as usual the media only reported on the aspect of Ray D'Arcy's wage. Anyone have the full transcipt or is their a video of the session?

expectationlost

starts half an hour into this 221mb file https://oireachtas.heanet.ie/wmv/hourly/CR4/CR4_20150128100001_001.wmv
the rest is here
https://oireachtas.heanet.ie/wmv/hourly/CR4/

what time did Travers' hearing start?

expectationlost

Re: Letter to the Joint Oireachtas Committee



Dear Mr White





I refer to your recent email regarding the date of my letter to the Joint Oireachtas Committee.



As provided for by section 81 (2) (b) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, I wrote to the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications on the 5th of December 2014, setting out the relevant experience and expertise of the 6 people appointed to the board of RTÉ by the Government on the 4th of November 2014.



As per Section 81 (2) (c) of the 2009 Act, the Committee is required, within 90 days of the letter, to advise me in relation to four additional members of the RTÉ board, giving reasons such as relevant experience and expertise in relation to each such proposed person.







Yours sincerely

Alex white

... these 6 http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=92899624&postcount=31


http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/new-rule-on-rte-board-nominees-305619.html
“I am concerned that the sequence of steps as set out in section 81 is complied with and I would respectfully request, therefore, that in accordance with section 81(2)(c) you would submit to me a list of four nominees proposed by the committee indicating, in each case, the reasons for the nomination, such as relevant experience and expertise,” Mr White advised the committee chairman, Fine Gael’s John O’Mahony.


http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2009/en/act/pub/0018/sec0081.html


so when did they committee do that? I asked them.


we heard the names in the media on the 2nd of October the day after picked http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/new-appointments-to-rt%C3%A9-board-and-bai-1.1949975

expectationlost

Read #communications Cmte discussion with chairpersons designate of #RTE and #BAI http://bit.ly/1zdU5dp

discussion with pauric travers very short

expectationlost

RTÉ move for drinks advocate approved http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/rt-move-for-drinks-advocate-approved-30982592.html

communications committe nominated the 4 (again)

expectationlost

Appointment of former head of alcohol body to RTÉ board approved http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/appointment-of-former-head-of-alcohol-body-to-rt%C3%A9-board-approved-1.2098781#.VNs5QrFvTeA.twitter 3 BAI committeee nominations approved as I noted the Minister picked Clare Duignan so they have to pick another

Elmo

expectationlost wrote: »

Appointment of former head of alcohol body to RTÉ board approved http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/appointment-of-former-head-of-alcohol-body-to-rt%C3%A9-board-approved-1.2098781#.VNs5QrFvTeA.twitter 3 BAI committeee nominations approved as I noted the Minister picked Clare Duignan so they have to pick another

Did she apply for the appointment or was she invited? Did she know of her nomination in November? When was she due to leave meas?

expectationlost

Sean Kenny TD @SeanKennyTD · Feb 11
At #Dail Oireachtas Communications Committee Mr. Sean O'Mordha BAI board nominee making presentation
https://twitter.com/SeanKennyTD/status/565456081351356416

expectationlost

Minister White Announces BAI Board and Compliance Committee Appointments http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2015/Minister+White+Announces+BAI+Board+and+Compliance+Committee+Appointments.htm

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Seamus Martin
Seán Ó Mórdha
BAI Compliance Committee

Nigel Heneghan
Brian O Callaghan

expectationlost

expectationlost wrote: »

Minister White Announces BAI Board and Compliance Committee Appointments http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Press+Releases/2015/Minister+White+Announces+BAI+Board+and+Compliance+Committee+Appointments.htm

Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Seamus Martin
Seán Ó Mórdha
BAI Compliance Committee

Nigel Heneghan
Brian O Callaghan

Sunday Times points out that one of Nigel Henenghan PR clients is Independent New Media...

The compliance committee people didn't go through the Public Appointments Service because it doesn't apply to appointments to "statutory committees" according to Minister Alex White

expectationlost

PQ re appointments compliance committee of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Minister Alex White
I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
https://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2015-02-26a.711&s=%22Appointments+to+State+Boards%22#g714.r
The recent appointments to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and the Compliance Committee were made by the Government in accordance with Section 8 of the Broadcasting Act 2009.

The appointment of members to the Compliance Committee (a statutory Committee) does not come within the new arrangements on Appointments to State Boards. No representations were made to me, my advisors or my officials on behalf of the two named individuals supporting their appointment.

With regard to the appointments to the BAI, I issued a press release last October notifying my intention to fill a number of pressing board vacancies in advance of the new arrangements for appointments to State Boards becoming fully operational. A copy of the press release is available on my Department's website.

In the case of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), there are a number of statutory measures in place governing conflicts of interest that may arise in the course of the work of both the Authority and its Committees and providing for transparency, accountability and independence. Section 23 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 obliges the Authority to draw up and adopt a Code of Conduct in respect of controls on interests and ethical behaviour to apply to each member of the Authority, statutory committee, advisory committee and members of staff. Section 24 of the 2009 Act states that the Authority shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

The revised Code was approved by the Authority in November 2013 on the recommendation of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee and is available on the website of the BAI.

The Code contains a number of specific provisions governing matters of conflict of interest. In addition, members of the statutory Authority and Committees are subject to the obligations placed on them by the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Acts, 1995 and 2001. Authority and Committee members are also subject to Sections 21 and 22 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, which provides for the disclosure of any conflicts of interest. In addition, Section 20 of the Broadcasting Act places duties of accountability to Oireachtas Committees on the Chief Executive, Chairperson of the Authority and the Chairpersons of the Statutory Compliance and Contract Awards Committees.