Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I thought the Minister would have conceded the point on nominating bodies. It is important that people feel engaged with the proposed council structure. It is easy for people to walk away and not get involved in this type of project. People are busier, work is getting tougher and the days seem to be getting shorter. All these pressures are on people who give up their time to represent their profession. In terms of trust, it should be possible to allow the profession to nominate the persons it feels are best rather than have this oversight structure that pervades the legislation.

In the past the Minister made the appointments but we should be able to trust these professional bodies in making their choices. I am not certain we can always trust Ministers. Deputy Twomey referred to the Taoiseach's approach to appointments to State boards which hardly inspires confidence.

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