Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Select Committee on Justice and Equality

Parole Bill 2016: Committee Stage

9:00 am

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Excellent. Yes, amendments Nos. 14 and 15.

Amendments Nos. 16, 17 and 19 are on the same theme. They make the opposite point in a load of different ways from what Deputy O'Callaghan has made in his amendments. My amendments seek an open competition for appointment to the board and the rationale is the same as previously. I do not have a difficulty with the professions being represented. It is good for the board to be comprised of legal people, Garda and psychologists. I have a problem with their nominating bodies nominating people rather than using merit. The Irish Penal Reform Trust has also raised its concern that the people who are favoured by the organisation might be nominated and that they will agree between themselves to take turns to be appointed for a year. People are not being nominated on merit. It is too important to leave the final say to the representative bodies even though I do not have a problem with the criteria. It is really important to have psychologists. I would prefer people to be nominated on merit and for a competition to be held. I do not think a competition would put people off. I applied for the job myself in the recent round of competition-----

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