§ Mr. McCuskerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many views and proposals on the role and composition of bodies appointed by him or by departments subject to his direction and control have been received from the Government of the Irish Republic under230W article 6 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement; how many recommendations for appointments have been put forward; how many offers or approaches have been made; and how many such offers have been accepted.
§ Mr. Tom KingThere have been several discussions through the Intergovernmental Conference about the role of a number of public bodies in Northern Ireland. The Irish side has to date suggested 39 people who might be considered for public appointments in Northern Ireland; these names include 19 people who were already on the central appointments unit's list; 12 people suggested by the Irish currently hold a total of 20 public appointments.