Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Let us say I was a chairperson who had been appointed for a seven-year duration and I had to undergo treatment for a serious illness that required me to recover for a period of maybe six months or a year. As a result I would be unable to carry out some of the legal functions and a new person would be appointed. What would happen to me? Would I be required, as the original chairperson, to step aside from my role as chairperson or does one legally have two chairpersons at that point in time? There is nothing in the Act to suggest that the original chairperson has to step aside. Section 5(4E) does not refer to an acting chairperson. We actually have a chairperson but one cannot have two chairpersons. If one had an acting chairperson then the chairperson who was unable, due to incapacity, would continue in his or her role but would not carry out any of the functions, which would be assigned to the acting chairperson. Section 5(4E) appoints a chairperson, which is exactly the role of the other person. Does the Minister of State understand what I am saying?