Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was after the current Dáil formed. The Committee of Public Accounts is a good model. I do not know whether legislation sets it out, but the fact that the Opposition chairs the committee probably helps it quite a bit. With no disrespect to this committee's Chairman, who is his own man, Government members can often come under pressure from Ministers. It is less likely that Ministers would be able to have a word in an Opposition Chairman's ear. This Bill would benefit from making it a statutory requirement for the Chairman to be a Member of the Opposition and it would look better in terms of independence. If the decision is just left to the Houses, they will not do it.