Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The thinking behind this amendment is not only to cover such circumstances where decisions must be taken quickly but to facilitate new technologies as they develop, such as halo and telepresence facilities which allow for instantaneous telecommunications links. I have seen examples of where companies have reduced travel expenses and greenhouse emissions by up to half with increased conferencing. This legislation will allow these new communications facilities to be used.

It is important that it can only be done when "all the members of the Authority or the relevant statutory committee can hear and be heard." It cannot just be case of a chairman saying he telephoned someone and cleared it with them. It must be a proper and instantaneous communications link. It is a difficult balance to get right. One wants to ensure proper order and procedures in place but also that the board meets regularly on a physical basis. One does not want to end up in a situation where meetings end up as teleconferences.

There is a precedent under the company law review. For example, section 10(2) the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority Act 2004 states:

The Council may, if it thinks fit, transact any of its business at a meeting at which its members (or some of its members) participate by telephone, closed circuit television or other means, but only if any member who speaks on a matter being considered by the meeting can be heard by the other members.

I take Deputy McManus's point on disclosures although it could be argued it is a board procedure issue. There is clear direction in the legislation for any conflicts of interest to be recorded in the minutes.

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