Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The key feature of secondment, which distinguishes this concept from leave of absence or from being on a career break, is that the person seconded remains under the direction and control of the sending organisation. Section 24(6) of the Bill allows for temporary engagement by the commission of staff of other organisations but prohibits such temporary postings from being on a secondment basis by providing that such persons shall be under the direction and control of the commission rather than the current employer. The following might be helpful in understanding why we are not accepting this amendment; put simply, the Bill does not allow for any secondment to the commission. This is a clear policy decision to go beyond what is required by the Paris Principles and the amendment would actually weaken the separation of the commission from the Government by allowing secondment of senior civil servants to the commission, something which the Bill as published does not allow to happen. On the basis of the explanation, the Deputy might reconsider his approach to the amendment.

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