Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 23:

In page 27, line 5, to delete “Subject to subsection (3), where” and substitute “Where”.

The purpose of my amendment No. 26 is to ensure appropriate representation for lower population counties while ensuring fairness to all by keeping the overall number of members across all education training boards, ETBs, the same. As a result of my amendment, there will be a guaranteed minimum of three members from each local authority area where three authorities combine to elect members to an ETB. There will be a guaranteed minimum number of four members from each local authority area where two authorities combine to elect members to an ETB and the balance of members will be determined having regard to population. I believe this meets the concerns that motivate amendments Nos. 24 and 29 from Deputy McConalogue.

Turning to his amendment No. 27, I believe there may be a difficulty in including factors additional to population and then using those to determine the proportions in which each local authority area is represented. If a blend of factors is used, questions arise as to what weighting should be given to each factor. Ultimately, such an approach is likely to lead to more subjective decisions being made and accusations of unfairness arising, which we certainly want to avoid. We have sought to ensure fairness and certainty by relying on population based on the most recent census as the measure through which the remaining numbers are arrived at. This approach will ensure that the voice of all communities, large and small, is heard while also maintaining objectivity in how the appropriate balance is reached.

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