Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's clarification and the reaffirmation of his desire to modernise the way in which appointments are made here. The Clerk of the Dáil will retire over the summer. Will the Minister's legislation be in place to ensure the broadest number of candidates will be in a position to apply for this position? Is it the expectation of the Minister that the position will be filled under the 1959 Act? Let us be clear how the 1959 Act applies. The appointment is effectively done by the Ceann Comhairle with reference to the commission and with confirmation by the Taoiseach. The Minister has accepted and identified that it is an outdated practice, and I welcome that. Will the Minister give the House a clear commitment that the Government will not utilise or allow the utilisation of the 1959 Act for the filling of the vacancy due to arise during the summer? Will the Minister give a commitment that the legislation will be in place to remove any doubt in respect of the way in which the position is filled?

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