Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Mick Wallace has said it himself. As Deputy Jim O'Callaghan said, the amendment relates specifically to the panel convenors to a review or hearing. Deputy Mick Wallace seeks to require the chairperson of the board to adhere to the principles of impartiality when making such appointments. The Bill will establish the parole board on a statutory footing. The board and its members will be subject to all of the duties and obligations of any statutory decision-making body and the requirements of fair procedures, as Deputy Jim O'Callaghan said. There is a body of law which oversees and covers procedures. In that regard, the amendment is unnecessary and would actually cloud the situation a little. It is better that the assumption is that people will commit to adhering to natural justice and fair procedures, which is what one would expect of any body. I do not think it is necessary to single out the panel convenors in the chairperson's decision-making.