Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Section 19 deals with staffing and is modelled on the strict staffing controls that are exercised currently by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, aiming to restrict the number of civil servant staff numbers and gradings. We need to be conscious of the fact that approximately 75% of the income of the National Concert Hall comes from its own trading activity and I am concerned that unduly restrictive constraints would be put on it.

We need to look at the possibility of the Minister, having due regard to the financial position of the National Concert Hall and in consultation with the board, having a more open approach to staffing schedules. Again, I will consider drafting an amendment on this issue for Report Stage.