Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

My colleague, Deputy Howlin, had hoped to be here but with the change in timing due to the debate on risk equalisation in health insurance, he has another meeting.

The Minister of State should clarify what discussions he has had with the Oireachtas Commission and if the commission has been fully consulted on the amendments being introduced. There was confusion on the last occasion and the Minister of State made a statement where he admitted he had not had consultations with the commission. It is important that we do not import into the Bill an arbitrary power for the Taoiseach when we have gone to the trouble of ensuring the affairs of the Houses of the Oireachtas are run by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. That must be clarified.

The appointment structure must also be clarified. For anyone of the grade of principal officer or above, dismissal is basically a recommendation of the Secretary General of the Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Is that consistent with the provisions for other sections in the Civil Service?

We were also told the Minister of State was importing on a sectoral basis references to whistleblowers, as was requested by the Labour Party, where, if a civil servant had come across material he felt should be divulged, it would not become a reason for summary dismissal. Do the same rules apply to the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas?

The Minister of State introduced these amendments late in the day. I am glad he conceded to the Labour Party on the whistleblowers but I would like clarification.

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