Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is no guarantee that the Minister, whose bona fides we do not question, will remain the Minister.

The amendment states, "The Board shall always include three individuals with experience...". A little bit of fair dues to Deputy Troy for his opening remarks at the outset of this particular amendment's discussion. That is the spirit we need in terms of guaranteeing for the future that the highest standards will apply to the appointments to this and other boards of State agencies.

It is not about the Minister and it is not about the appointments now; it is about always. It is about setting down the standards that we require. It is important that we affirm that from day one. That has been my view on so much that I believe is deficient within the legislation, although not to the point that it renders the legislation unworkable. However, I want to the legislation to be the strongest it can possibly be.

This amendment affirms absolutely the standards we require and the expertise and knowledge that I also believe is essential to the make-up of that board. I again commend it to the Minister for all the right reasons, not as a reflection on the Minister's intent or approach to this particular responsibility. At this critical time, there is a need to ensure that there is knowledge and expertise represented on the board from the traditional family support background. I refer to someone with knowledge and experience of the family resource centre network and national office. That is my view. Whatever the outcome of this amendment, I commend the latter to the Minister.