Ms Meta Osborne:

I am conscious that we are all focusing on the CID. As I said earlier, I am not an employment lawyer. I came onto the remuneration committee in April. I saw sight of the legal advice which stated that there was potential for a risk in that regard. That was not the only thing we considered. If that was the only thing we considered, no matter who the incumbent was we would have said we were stuck and would have to take the person concerned.

We also considered the record of Mr. Kavanagh to date. As I said, the board has been in a state of transition. We need a steady hand, which Mr. Kavanagh is. It was not the case that we felt we were being strong-armed into reappointing him. We gave the matter full consideration.

I have a minute - I am not sure whether Deputies and Senators have access to it - of a recommendation from the remuneration committee which I will read. It states: "The remuneration committee support the extension of the contract of employment for a further five years based on the business case presented to and accepted by the Department, the efficient and effective management of the organisation by Mr. Kavanagh and taking into account the legal advice which indicates that Mr. Kavanagh has a contract of indefinite duration." That document went to the board. It was fully aware of the position.