John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

I disagree with the amendment, not Deputy Ciarán Lynch, because it is overly prescriptive. I agree with the Deputy's suggestion that someone involved in charities be involved in the board, but the amendment calls for a full-time employee. I do not want the Bill to be so restrictive.

Amendment No. 102 refers specifically to "One of the 9", but a greater figure may be appropriate. Being too restrictive is my primary reason for not accepting the amendment. We have not yet sought board members. This issue cannot be viewed in isolation. Deputies questioned the appointment to the board of people with legal qualifications. The Bill states that the Minister shall in appointing the members of the authority ensure that among those members are persons who have knowledge of and expertise in the law relating to charities, the keeping of accounts by and funding of charitable organisations and the management of charitable organisations. To be fair, this indicates that people from a charitable background will be included. The proposed amendment is too restrictive and excludes former charity workers and part-time workers involved with smaller charities. I do not believe we should be this restrictive or that we should restrict ourselves to appointing only one person. On those grounds, I am unable to accept the amendment.

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