Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 42:

In page 12, line 29, after “determine.” to insert the following:"All Board appointments shall be subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht.".

This amendment deals with appointments to the board of Irish Water under section 13. The Minister informed us that the purpose of the section is to provide for an increase in the maximum number of members who may be appointed to the board of Ervia. When is it expected that the appointments will be made? Will they be made only when this legislation is passed and, if so, how many members are envisaged? The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has indicated that he will increase the numbers to reflect the professionalism associated with each member and the expertise necessary for the board to perform efficiently. I am conscious of the obligations he intends to place on the board in regard to the bonus element of pay. He informed the House yesterday evening that he will be giving the board responsibility for negotiating on behalf of the taxpayer with a view to amending the pay structure. This leads me to wonder what expertise he has in mind for the board to enable it to meet that responsibility.

This amendment makes all board appointments subject to the approval of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht. That is only fair and proper. It would meet the standards that the Government supposedly sets for board appointments, including the public advertisement and scrutiny of all board appointments and giving committees a role in affirming appointments. Perhaps the Minister will respond to the thrust of the amendment in the first instance and I would also be grateful if he could elaborate on the points in regard to the section.

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