Ms Sinéad Gibney:

I do not think the general scheme provides that at the moment, and that is what our recommendations are quite strong around. The specifics include the creation of a Vote account, which is essentially the same as what we enjoy. Also, the removal of commission members is not appropriate and is not comparable to our own legislation, for example, or that of the Data Protection Commission. In terms of the set-up, those are the two key pieces we recommend but the make-up of the commission itself should be considered. Speaking as the chief commissioner of a group of 15 people who do represent the diversity of society, we have a legislative mandate to have gender equality within the commission and that representation only strengthens our organisation. For such an organisation as the media commission, which impacts so strongly on the rights and equality of rights of individuals, to have that same level of representation would be very strong. Added to that should be the need to eliminate discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and rights. Those are some things we feel would be important for that. Like I said at the outset, that is within the 2014 IHREC Act, something this body would most likely be subject to anyway, but given the significant impact this would have on rights and equality, we believe being more explicit in the drafting of the legislation, giving it that legislative footing, will strengthen that positive obligation on this body.

Dr. Michael might want to elaborate further.