Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 10, line 30, after "barrister" to insert "of at least five years' standing".

This amendment is an effort to ensure solicitors or barristers appointed to the authority have sufficient experience to ensure they do the job. While the Minister was reasonably sympathetic to the amendment on Committee Stage he ruled it out.

It is extremely important that when people are to be appointed to State boards the legislation specifies they must have the proper qualifications and experience to ensure they can do the job properly. This is particularly necessary when political patronage is involved, not that I accuse this Government of such practice but including this in the Bill would do no harm.

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