Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach very much. I wish our witnesses a good afternoon and thank them very much for having come before our committee today. I apologise that I am unable to make it down to the committee room just at the minute. It is because I am trying to make contributions to two committee meetings at once.

I have a number of quick questions on heads 15 and 24, which deal with temporary release, board appointments and the general independence and oversight. I want to give an opportunity to our witnesses to make some comments in addition to those they have already made. Do witnesses feel that head 15, which relates to temporary release, is robust and sufficient? On head 24, there has been quite a deal of discussion on board appointments. The general scheme states that it is envisaged that appointments will be made in accordance with the general open process relating to appointments of persons to State boards. Do our witnesses feel that is sufficient?

On oversight, which I know the witnesses have already touched upon, perhaps they might make a comment on any further observations they might have with regard to that oversight function. In that context, I refer to parliamentary oversight.