Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Something that the agency must do as soon as it is appointed is devise a code of governance. The Minister of the day also has the power to issue guidelines, not just directions. There is no reason that the issues raised cannot be addressed within a code of governance or ministerial guidelines. The mechanisms mentioned by Senator Hayden are in place to deal with such issues.

The appointment of outside consultants is something that a CEO would recommend to a board for the board's decision. This specific issue would never be mentioned in legislation.