Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. The public is looking at the public interest directors and noting that €2 million has been spent on them to date in the covered institutions. Nearly €400,000 has been spent on their fees. The public is asking if it is getting value for money. They are not aware of what exactly the public interest directors do and they want to know. I looked through the legislation. The 2008 Act provided for the appointment of public interest directors and persons to observe all meetings. Mr. MacSharry is correct that the 2010 Act provides for the public interest in section 48. Section 48(3) provides that the Minister may make and publish guidelines on the duty imposed on a public interest director and a director may rely on any such guideline to demonstrate his or her compliance with such duty. Mr. MacSharry is a former Minister for Finance and EU Commissioner. Ms Hayes is very familiar to us as a former Secretary General. They are experienced. Were they surprised that guidelines were not issued to public interest directors following the enactment of the 2010 Act?