Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I move amendment No. 4:

In page 6, to delete lines 31 to 34.

This amendment would delete the proposed new section 16A(3).

Section 16A(3) reads: "A person may not be appointed as an appointed director unless he or she is a person who is an employee of the Executive holding the grade of national director in the Executive." I would be of a mind to be not only greatly sympathetic to that view and the application of it in most circumstances but I have it to say that I believe there is a basis for concern in respect of the area regarding mental health and this is the focus of my amendment. It is imperative that we appoint the best available person to take up this role and responsibility and that person might not be currently within the HSE service. That person may have been previously or may have been in any other walk of life as things are but he or she may have the necessary feel for it, commitment to it and the abilities and the unquestionable interest. There are people available who would certainly fit that bill and there have been instances of appointments recently of people from roles that have given them great expertise. At the meeting of this committee last week we heard of the instance in respect of the child and family agency, as it will be known, and the appointment of a former senior face and voice within the non-governmental sector.

There is merit in not holding strictly to what section 16A(3) seeks to achieve and that the criteria should stipulate someone who is absolutely committed and with the proven track record of interest in and support for not only the development of mental health services but the successful roll-out at the earliest possible time of A Vision for Change. I commend amendment No. 4 to the Minister and the committee.