Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

There are many fine and public-spirited citizens who have contributed to State boards and who continue to do so under the current allegedly flawed system. In the past, the system may not always have been as focused on professional capacity as it has become now. However, there has been a necessary improvement in the calibre of appointees in the recent past. From the point of view of the nominees, given the level of public scrutiny today and the onerous responsibilities of directors, acceptance of a position as a chairman or board member is not to be entered into lightly. Nominees need to be confident of their professional capacity to serve.

A particular aspect of this proposal that could cause concern is the number of perfectly acceptable candidates who otherwise may have considered accepting an appointment to a board but who may be discouraged by the prospect of presenting his or her credentials in a public forum before an Oireachtas committee.

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