Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

We can look back on the record. The Deputy indicated it would expose people who should not be there. I disagree fundamentally as to what the opportunity is as we change the way we appoint boards. It is far better, more powerful and more useful to give any Oireachtas committee — I would apply this to any appointment to a board because it is a fundamentally good model — to have the power to propose. It should have the power to suggest a person, skills or a balance as appropriate to a board.

The amendment came from the discussions we had on Committee Stage and accepting some of the arguments made by the Deputies. The process we are refining with this amendment is to say that the Minister indicates which people have been appointed, their skill sets and the reasons behind their appointment. That makes it much easier for the Oireachtas committee to round off the board and add to it with its own proposals. That is a far more positive and progressive step than operating on a partisan basis, as the Deputy suggested could happen. I do not see how that would add to the quality or standard of boards. That is why I fundamentally disagree with the Deputy and why I am adhering to the approach I have outlined.

Deputy McManus referred to people who are members of particular bodies or organisations. The model for which provision is made in the Bill will provide the Oireachtas committee with the opportunity to identify people who would make excellent candidates and nominate them for membership of boards. I agree with the Deputy that when appointing boards, we must consider whether the membership is representative of different interests throughout the country. For example, certain boards might benefit from having people with technological expertise or those who have worked with disability groups as members. The Oireachtas committee, as well as the Minister, will have the power to ensure that a broad mix will apply in respect of the membership of boards.

An amendment was made in the Seanad in respect of the audience council to the effect that the latter must include among its members someone who represents the disability sector. Making such a provision in respect of the audience council is correct. However, I do not wish to restrict the broadcasting authority of Ireland or the RTE or TG4 authorities in this regard. It is our responsibility, as politicians, to make the call in this regard. Politicians must be representative of the people and they have a duty to establish boards that are representative. We should take our responsibility in this regard seriously because it is one of the most important responsibilities conferred upon us. We are sharing our power in this regard and handing it over to those on the opposite side of the House. This will lead to the creation of a better process in respect of appointments to boards. I look forward to working with the Deputies opposite in the context of discovering how this will operate in practice.

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