Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I would like to ask the Minister of State to elaborate on his proposal. I am concerned about the new paragraph (c) introduced in section 9, which reads as follows:

3 persons who have such qualifications, interests and experience as, in the opinion of the Minister, would be of value to the Council in performing its functions.

These are three positions that are being taken from paragraph (iv) of section 9, which reads as follows:

9 are representative of the interest of the general public and are appointed with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

This infers the other six will not have such qualifications, interests or experience to be of value to the committee. Why draw such a distinction when the appointment of the nine representatives did not preclude the appointment of people representative of the interests of the general public who would have such qualifications, interests, experience or whatever, or any combination of or all three? What was intended was members of the public who will act in the interests of the general public and who would be considered as representative of that interest for service on the council. Why draw a distinction, and almost a hierarchy, in respect of three representatives over six representatives?

I find the proposition very disagreeable. As the Minister of State is prepared to categorise three of the nine persons to be appointed as representative of the interests of the general public, how would he describe the other six persons? Would he describe them as people with no qualifications, no interests, no experience and, therefore, of no value to the council? The proposition is objectionable and opens a whole range of questions. I wonder has it been properly thought through.

The proposals from my colleagues in the Green Party merit support because there is a kink towards one area of third level education, which is likely to be the predominant player. The colleges to which their amendment seeks to afford access are important and cover a range of areas, including bringing forward people who would have qualifications, interests and experience in the substantive areas addressed in the legislation. I agree with the Green Party amendments and I am deeply concerned about the approach adopted by the Minister and presented by the Minister of State. I hope he will give an account of the decision to proceed as outlined.

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