Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The effect of the amendment was to reduce the membership of the agency from 14 to eight. Since the nature and focus of the work of the agency will necessarily narrow in the period of dissolution, there is a lower requirement for a board of the size originally provided for in the DHDA Act.

The other amendment is to reduce the number required for a quorum from six to four. This will permit the continuation of a functioning board throughout the dissolution process. It will also mitigate the risk of the board becoming inquorate during the wind-down and dissolution period. There are currently eight members on the board of the DHDA, and membership currently comprises six men and two women. This represents a breakdown of 75% male and 25% of female. Departments are required, in line with the Government decision of 23 July 2014, to achieve the target of at least 40% representation for each gender on State boards. I propose that we not move the amendment today and do so on Report Stage.