Number of State board vacancies under Shane Ross same as when Paschal Donohoe left

The 36 vacancies left on State boards under the control of Transport Minister Shane Ross is the same number left vacant by his predecessor, Paschal Donohoe, when he left office.

Mr Ross was criticised last week because he had not filled the vacancies, on boards such as the Road Safety Authority, Irish Rail, and Fáilte Ireland.

However, the Department of Transport confirmed that Mr Donohoe had left the same number of vacancies on his departure from office.