James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Under subsection (4), the first director general is appointed by the Minister. Subsequent directors general will be appointed by the Minister following a recruitment process under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. There are precedents in legislation which provide that the first person appointed to a new office may be appointed as envisaged in subsection (4). This is the most practical way to advance the new director's arrangements, which are temporary. I do not, therefore, intend to accept amendment No. 10 and consequently will not accept the related amendment No. 8.