Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 23:

In page 21, to delete lines 2 to 6.

Amendment No. 23 seeks to delete lines 2 to 6 in page 21, which states a member may not be appointed or elected to the board if he or has served more than nine years in aggregate in the previous 15. Amendment No. 26 also refers to the nine-year period.

The joint committee also covered the term limit provision in detail in the context of the concept of voluntarism. There is grave concern in credit unions and communities about such an exclusion. When Mr. Kieron Brennan of the Irish League of Credit Unions appeared before the joint committee to discuss the legislation, he stated:

Credit unions will not be allowed to elect whomsoever they wish to serve on their boards. In addition, it would be inequitable, unnecessary and potentially detrimental to some particularly small credit unions to impose a legal restriction on the number of years an individual can serve as a director or on the board oversight committee. Were this proposal to be implemented, the Republic of Ireland movement would be the only credit union movement worldwide where such a limitation would exist.

The introduction of such a limitation is a fundamental issue in terms of the concept of voluntarism and democracy. At the same meeting Deputy Heather Humphreys pointed to the importance of encouraging the next generation. The same applies to political parties, clubs and local community bodies. It is necessary to get younger generations involved and develop people with ability, expertise and skill. Clearly, some restrictions would apply. A number of the most outstanding credit union officers have willingly served for a number of decades on boards of directors, audit and supervisory committees and so on and that has been their fundamental contribution to their community.

Terms limits for politicians have often been discussed. Tomorrow is my 20th anniversary as a Member after five elections.

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