Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I endorse what the Chairman said but I would write to Ms Maguire, as chairperson, in the strongest possible terms. Like the Chairman, I do not mind if the CCMA sends in one representative, be it the chairperson or someone else, or if individual CEOs come in. We can bring in the 40 or so CEOs and get deck chairs but I have consistently said that they have a statutory responsibility to this State and its citizens and they are as important to delivery of services as any Secretary General or Minister. They are a linchpin in the delivery of services in society because at this level in the Houses of the Oireachtas we allocate money on a headline figure basis and the implementation of that then goes to the chief executive officers who are given a high standing within this society. It is imperative that the CCMA sends a representative and participates in this committee on these matters.