Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Carey who has a very impressive CV. He has answered very clearly and well one of the questions I had intended to ask him as to what is his vision for the agency. As I am conscious that we are in public session, I want to set out my understanding of the role of the committee as it relates to Mr. Carey's position. In accordance with the provisions of Dáil Standing Order 85(6)(B), joint committees have the power to require the chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of the relevant Department, prior to his or her appointment, to attend before them to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role. It is worth saying for anyone watching the proceedings that it is not an interview to determine the suitability or otherwise of a candidate. It is not the function of the committee to block the nomination. It is ultimately the responsibility of the Minister to appoint the candidate. That is worth saying, as I am conscious that the public looking in which takes a great interest in these matters might not know it.

I have looked at Mr. Carey's CV. I am on the Agricultural Panel and as such know a lot about the work of Bord Bia which I mentioned yesterday in the Seanad during a debate on agriculture.

I acknowledge the enormous work of Bord Bia, which has excelled under the leadership, stewardship, focus and strategic thinking of Mr. Carey. It has been always a good organisation, but it has grown and built itself up. It has enormous budgets to do its work. When I say that, I do not mean to take from the professionalism, focus and amazing achievements of Mr. Carey and his team. I do not want to dwell on agriculture today, other than to acknowledge Mr. Carey's role in Bord Bia. Most of Mr. Carey's enterprise and investment experience has been in the food sector. That has been his key area. He is an entrepreneur. I do not have any difficulty with his business model. I want to put a few questions to him. I will not ask all the questions I had intended to ask because some of them have been comprehensively addressed. I ask him to share a few points with the committee in response to the questions I am about to ask. Why did Mr. Carey submit an expression of interest for this job? When did he do so? Can he outline the selection process he underwent to be appointed to this role? How relevant are his qualifications and experiences to this specific role, which relates predominantly to housing? I acknowledge that he has many qualifications and a great deal of experience, but ultimately he is here as the chairman-designate of the Housing Agency.

I was impressed by what Mr. Carey said when he spoke about how he will go about his immediate work. It is clear that he will have to home in to a greater extent on the demands and challenges the agency faces. He spoke about putting in place a robust and professional system to ensure the agency delivers on its targets and objectives. I am happy to hear those targets and objectives will be examined and monitored. I think that is really positive. I would like to ask Mr. Carey where he envisages the organisation will go. What would he consider to be success? He is bringing all his experience of management structures, etc., to this major challenge. How would he like to see his role? What would he consider to represent success when he is heading out of this role? I have outlined a few of my thoughts on this matter. I acknowledge Mr. Carey's vast management experience and professionalism. His CV relates predominantly to food, agriculture and Bord Bia. I acknowledge that all of that is excellent. I would like to hear how he got interested in this position. Who approached him? How did he express his expression of interest? What were the dates involved? I ask him to share some of that with the committee. What is his ultimate vision? What would he consider as success in this role when he is heading out of it?