A new way of appointing people to State boards has been agreed at the Department of Transport.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross said the move will address his concerns about political interference in board appointments.
This issue has been a problematic one for Mr Ross and dozens of appointments to State boards have already been delayed.
Now the procedures for a new appointments system have been put in place for the 23 State boards under the remit of his department.
New plan in place by @Shane_RossTD to curb politician interference in state board appointments @rtetwip @rtenews pic.twitter.com/EjPdQnV2kB
— Mícheál Lehane (@MichealLehane) February 5, 2017
It will mean that further interviews and checks will be carried out by Department officials on the CVs supplied by the Public Appointments Service.
The minister then will have to choose from a shortlist of just three applicants. Currently that list could have up to 50 names.
The focus will be on experience and expertise and not general criteria.
Mr Ross also told the Public Appointments Service that he would prefer more people from the private sector to sit on its assessment panels.
@MichealLehane outlines new @Shane_RossTD State board appointments procedure in the Department of Transport on #twip pic.twitter.com/ZURzJZy23y
— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) February 5, 2017
