Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I was going to use it as a general lead into some of the more controversial issues.

The witnesses see the term limits as a positive aspect on the basis that they would promote renewal at board level. Some of our other contributors saw it as problematic because it lessened the democratic right of members to decide who they wanted. Is there a problem with renewal? The witnesses went on to state that many of the problems experienced by credit unions stem from their governance. Is there a connection between the two issues? Are the lack of renewal at board level and the lack of clarity between the board and people on the front line contributing to problems? Will Ms Gilleece elaborate on this matter?

Other contributors seemed to be very concerned about the role of treasurer, in that they viewed maintaining members' direct line into what is happening with a credit union's finances as being important.

Ms Gilleece appears to be suggesting that it is better for the credit union if this is done by the front line professionals. Perhaps she will elaborate on that point and on her point that the problems which credit unions are having are as a result of poor governance. Is Ms Gilleece saying that, in so far as credit unions are in trouble, poor governance and not the impact of the current environment is the problem?