Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I will leave the argument where it stands in the context of our difference of opinion regarding the role of committees and that of the Opposition. I was lucky enough to have been involved in the hearings process in another parliament and was extremely impressed by it. That was my sole motivation behind my proposal that we adopt a similar structure in Ireland. I will endeavour to play my part in ensuring that the system proposed by the Minister will work. I accept that there is a benefit to having the opportunity to put people forward for membership on boards as well as the opportunity to test the decisions of Ministers. I return to the point that the majority of the members of the authority the Minister will appoint will never be tested by the Oireachtas. It will, therefore, continue to be possible to place on the State board in question someone who might be termed a "dud", without he or she ever being exposed as such. That is not good enough.

Deputy McManus referred to the disability sector. The Minister made a strong point to the effect that he does not wish to be overly prescriptive with regard to whether the person appointed to the board from this sector represents a sectoral area or something else. The Minister has taken action in this regard in an absolute way in respect of gender balance. As such, he has already established a precedent with regard to being prescriptive.

I support Deputy McManus in respect of the disability-access sector. There are many people who, for a variety of reasons, have difficulty accessing broadcasting services. While I accept the principle that we should not prescribe the exact make-up of the board in the context of sectoral interests — this would essentially request that the Minister and the Oireachtas committee, in terms of their nominations, to operate within the confines of a straitjacket — an exception could be made in respect of disability-access interests to ensure that at least one board member would represent those with such interests. In that context, amendment No. 10 in my name states that the nomination and approval process "shall have regard to the need for gender balance and representation from the disability sector".

Amendments Nos. 73 to 79, inclusive, deal with RTE. How does the Minister plan to proceed in this regard. The existing RTE board has been put in place on a temporary basis. How does he intend to add to this board? Will he merely add further members to the existing board when the committee puts forward a panel of nominees or does he intend to establish a new board? Will the members of the temporary board comprise a percentage of the new board or will an entirely new membership be selected? I presume the Minister will merely add to the six people who are already in place.

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