Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I thank both Deputies for raising this point. These amendments both seek to amend section 21 of the Bill to create a statutory obligation on the Minister to consult with the chief executive of the agency when appointing staff to it. Section 21(1) replicates the arrangements already in place for providing staff to several other bodies under the aegis of my Department. These include statutory bodies like the Parole Board and the Office of the Inspector of Prisons. Equally, non-statutory bodies, like Forensic Science Ireland and the Probation Service, already have a system and a structure in place.

In practice, there is ongoing engagement and consultation between my Department and these bodies and their chairpersons regarding the provision of their staff, including specialist staff. The same will apply to this agency. These arrangements have worked effectively in those other bodies without the need for any statutory underpinning of the type specified in the proposed amendments. Moreover, once the chief executive is in situ, he or she, in line with standard practice, will have a significant role. When I say the chief executives are already included, I mean that they are part of approving selection criteria and job specifications and also participate in short-listing and interview boards in the process of selecting key personnel.

This includes senior and specialist staff. Any such recruitment would be in line with the code of practice for appointment to civil and public service. I understand and appreciate the intent of the amendments but I believe they are unnecessary. I am pleased to say the competition for the position of CEO has closed and we have had a large amount of interest. A candidate information booklet issued by the Public Appointments Service outlines that the role includes building and developing the management team and staff of the agency, advancing employee engagement and developing a highly performing managerial team. The remit also includes working to ensure the agency is staffed and equipped in a suitable premises. There is precedent. There is a very clear handbook. There is direction in the Public Appointments Service booklet. There is also very good existing practice with statutory and non-statutory agencies working with the Department.