James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would be very pleased to help the Deputy with that. He might recall that during earlier Stages of the Bill I pointed out that it was possible to bring in new people from outside who can be promoted upwards. Equally, it is important to point out that the original recruitment in these areas would be through an open competition by the Public Appointments Service and it is an open and transparent process.

The fact that people have to act up on occasion, as is currently the case, speaks for itself. It is quite clear why we need this amendment, and we are introducing it on the legal advice of the Office of the Attorney General because we have a real-life situation to address. The issue is not purely theoretical. It does not pull in any opposite direction but does de facto allow for greater flexibility, which is something about which the Deputy and Deputy Kelleher are concerned.

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