Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This amendment provides for the procedures to be followed by the local authority upon receipt of a recommendation from the public appointments commission for appointment as a new chief executive. An important element of the rebalancing of the relationship between the elected member and the chief executive is the making of the appointment of the chief executive by the elected members a reserved function. This amendment does not alter this fundamental change in the relationship as originally provided in the Bill but it provides for clarity on how the elected members must go about their business of considering and deciding on the recommendation from the public appointments commission. The elected members will have three months to make the decision and a weakness originally in the Bill which would have meant rejection of the recommended person by the mere passage of time if the elected members did not consider the recommendation is removed.

Provision is also made for the Minister to make regulations relating to the processes the local authority will need to adhere to in considering the recommendation of the public appointments service relating to requesting information from the person recommended for the post of chief executive, the keeping of records, confidentiality and the criteria to be applied to their consideration of the recommendation.

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