O’Reilly ‘yet to decide’ on reapplying for NTA board

The PR adviser caught up in a recent “not bad looking” appointments scandal has “yet to decide” whether to re-apply for her state board position.

Fri, 20 Mar, 2015 - 00:00

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Valerie O’Reilly, the former PR adviser to Independent TD Michael Lowry, said she is examining her options after her term on the board of the National Transport Authority ran out on Sunday.

The Unicorn PR executive was at the centre of a major appointments controversy in January after Mr Lowry asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny to reappoint her as she is “bright, intelligent, and not bad looking either”.

The request, which has been widely seen as highlighting sexist and political appointment transparency problems in Leinster House, was made in a handwritten note given to Mr Kenny during a Dáil debate.

However, it was accidentally intercepted by a Government minister, who is believed to have then given it to a national newspaper.

After the note emerged, Ms O’Reilly and Mr Lowry said she was appointed based on her record and ability, and that the PR executive was keen to continue the role.

However, despite the fact her term on the NTA board ended on Sunday, Ms O Reilly last night said she has “yet to decide” on whether to reapply.

When asked if pressure had been placed on her to stand down from the position because of the controversy, the PR expert said “absolutely not”, and stressed any advice from officials has been “quite the opposite”.

The ending of Ms O’Reilly’s NTA term — which she has held since 2012 — was confirmed by RTÉ last night.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Paschal Donohue said her position is one of six currently vacant due to the end of holders’ terms.

He said these individuals can, like anyone else, re-apply “in the normal way by the Public Appointments Service”.

Under Government reforms introduced in September, all State board appointments must be advertised on www.stateboards.ie.

However, one exception allows ministers to propose reappointments “where board members have already demonstrated their capacity to perform effectively”.