Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

This amendment permits another employee to be appointed as acting CEO so that the board can continue to function. It is not appropriate to set a time limit on the length that somebody could be absent on sick leave or for another reason. If the CEO is absent from his or her post for an inordinate length of time, thereby causing difficulties for the board, it is the latter's responsibility to take action where it believes the period of absence is unacceptable. If, for some reason, the board failed to act it is open to the Minister for Health to instruct to replace the person who is absent. If the post falls vacant, it is the board's responsibility to advertise for a new CEO. If the board is not performing its duty satisfactorily it is open to the Minister to instruct it to advertise the post and fill it in the normal course. Safeguards have been put in place in that regard.

The only purpose of this amendment is to ensure that the board can appoint another person in the event of the CEO not being available to perform his or her functions.

See this speech in context