Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the recruitment and the indication that sanction for it has been given. It is shocking that the Minister would go through with recruitment without the approval of the Members of the Oireachtas. It shows a disregard for what might happen in this committee or the views of the members of the committee, and it is unacceptable to me. It is equally shocking when the Minister gives out the list of the people who are to be recruited and their level of expertise. The highest level is the director of service, the salary level for which is established and we know it. The real expertise that will be needed to carry out the work of the competent authority will have to be bought in by way of consultancy. Therefore, any organisation we choose could be quite capable of buying in the consultancy in the same way as in the proposal that seems to be on the table with Fingal County Council.