Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 20, to delete lines 24 to 35, and in page 21, to delete lines 1 to 3 and substitute the following “(4)The ordinary members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister following an open competition as follows:

(a) 8 persons who are nominated for such appointment by the Minister following consultation by him or her with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment—

(i) who are not registered persons,

(ii) who are not employees of registered persons, and

(iii) all of whom, in the view of the Minister, have the experience, skill and knowledge necessary for the proper, effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Board;

(b) 2 persons who are nominated for such appointment by the Minister—

(i) who have experience and expertise in the area of construction,

(ii) both of whom, in the view of the Minister, have the experience, skill and knowledge necessary for the proper, effective and efficient performance of the functions of the Board.”.

This is about the composition of the board. It is another part of the legislation where I have a lot of concern. I do not believe that having half of the members of the board appointed by the body that is appointed to be the registration body is the correct way to do it. I think that should be by appointments. If it continues to be the Construction Industry Federation, for example, I would have a problem with half of the board coming from that quarter and it would be better if they were ministerial appointments. The previous amendments from Deputy Ó Broin proposing that this goes through the Public Appointments Service are very important. It is also important to say that the pre-legislative scrutiny report on this made recommendations and while there was some movement towards those in the drafting of the Bill, I do not think they were fully taken on board. I think this is a better structure for the board and it means half of its members will not come from the Construction Industry Federation side. It is important that other skills and interests are reflected on the board and this lays out the structure for those.