Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would not accept that ultimately we will have something of a soft or cosy relationship between the Garda Síochána board and the Garda Commissioner as CEO. As the chair of the Commission said at this committee a few weeks ago, there must be a level of professional tension, as is the case with all relationships between a board and a chief executive officer. That is important to ensure there would not be that type of soft relationship to which the Deputy quite rightly adverted, and that there would be a limited term appointment.

In the event the Government does decide to proceed along the lines of the board-CEO relationship, a precedent for that would be the Legal Aid Board within our own area of specialisation, and the relationship there between the CEO and the board members. If we proceed along the lines of legislating for the new board, having regard to the relationship between the board members and the CEO, it is important to remember that another arm of the new proposals in relation to the new PCSOC, or such name as legislators will decide ultimately, will be an element of oversight ensuring probity in all appointments. I do not share the view that what we are doing is bringing back power to An Garda Síochána to ensure that the relationship is either less than accountable or less than transparent. What we are doing is recognising what is accepted practice right across the public sector. We will have a further opportunity to tease out the detail of that, should the Government decide to proceed.