Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the last question, the society's constitution now provides that a member of the board of directors must stand down for one full three-year term once he or she has served on the board for two consecutive three-year terms. I am concerned in particular that some individuals were on the board repeatedly and that there was neither the opportunity for change or for others to become members of the board. Following the Government's approval of the amendment order, and in accordance with the society's revised constitution, in May of this year the Government approved the nomination of four nominees to the society's general assembly. These four individuals were carefully chosen for the value their experience and expertise can bring to the society, and I am pleased to note that three of the four were subsequently elected to the board of directors by the members of the society's general assembly.

Both the approval of the amendment order and the subsequent nomination of these high calibre individuals to the general assembly of the society represent very significant and important steps. In the context of dealing with the issue of membership, there were individuals who had been on the ruling body of the society for many years. In the recent elections, two of them did not stand. In effect, much of the reform I was anxious to achieve has been achieved in the context of dialogue in which I engaged with the society from a very early stage after my appointment. There has been a sea change in the context of the rules and regulations and the society's constitution. Work is ongoing with regard to the new legislation we have promised in this area. I cannot give an exact timeframe because of the pressures on the legislative schedule in the Office of the Attorney General but I assure the Deputy that I am committed to that legislation. It is part of the programme for Government and it will come before the House at the earliest possible opportunity.

See this speech in context