Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Mac Lochlainn covered much of what I was going to say about the staff. There is no question that these individuals are competent, experienced and professional individuals who, perhaps, are exactly what the new authority will require in terms of their experience. I accept what the Minister is saying about the need for independence but he has alluded to it by referring to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin and discussions with this committee and himself regarding an exception being made on this occasion.

Taking on board his point about the requirement for independence and the perception of independence and the prerequisite of experience, I imagine any individual applying for a role in the new regulatory authority will go through some form of Public Appointments Service-type interview process and the skills and experience gained while working for the Law Society are going to be of great benefit to those applicants. That does not necessarily give any comfort to those 16 individuals. This should be teased out with further discussions, particularly with the Minister, Deputy Howlin. In any normal scenario when we are considering the establishment of a new authority and bringing in competent individuals I would assume these individuals are the type we seek. I understand the Minister's predicament but further discussions are required. I am in favour of a reasonable approach regarding the future employment of these individuals.