Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Concern has been expressed and not just by Members. The board of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, particularly its distinguished chairman Professor William Reville, has expressed the fear that there could be a diminution of the focus on radiological protection because of the merger. I take the Minister's point in respect of amendment No. 2. Amendment No. 1 is very clear, which says that a director of the agency shall be an expert on radiological protection, and is the amendment I will press.

Looking at other areas of responsibility, given that the body is being merged, a director for communications and corporate services cannot be regarded as on a par with radiological protection. With regard to section 14(1), whereby the incumbent is protected and will operate as a director for a term ending not later than 30 April 2016, I thought the Labour Party had turned a new page. I am concerned if we are back at the old method of operating whereby an individual - a senior and highly paid public servant - is being protected and protection of society as a whole is secondary. That is why I suggest that, subsequent to 30 April 2016, the director is specifically charged with responsibility for radiological protection. I am disappointed the Minister is unable to accept the amendment.