Ms Josephine Feehily:

It is not unusual to make provision for co-option on the basis of expertise as an option. There might be some scope there that would make the Act more agile.

On the question of independence, I draw the Chair's attention to the point made by Professor MacCraith in his opening regarding head 6(10). We are very keen the body be free, or freer than the Act envisages, to conduct reviews and make recommendations without approaching the Minister for permission.