Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 16:

In page 14, to delete lines 3 to 6 and substitute the following:"(3) The chairperson of the Board shall hold office for a term of 3 years.".

I am opposing the deletion of the restriction on civil servants being appointed to the chair of the National Shared Services Office, NSSO, board because a limiting of the post of chairperson to those who are non-civil servants necessarily restricts the available pool. Extensive knowledge of the wider working context of the Civil Service and public service is critical to the role and, reflecting the service focus of the NSSO, strong and current networks at senior level will also prove vital in executing the responsibilities of the chair.

This amendment has been brought forward to ensure there will be no limit in future on the type of person, if the skill set and calibre are available, on the basis of the person's occupation. It is a technical amendment.