Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that we enacted legislation last year to put the NewERA entity on a statutory basis. We gave it a statutory role in the evaluation of the capacity of directors of commercial semi-State companies. We also gave it a statutory role in terms of their appointment. I set this out in the new process for appointment. The Deputy will find that anybody appointed to a commercial semi-State company is fit for purpose in meeting the skills set determined by the NewERA entity for that company. Ultimately, the final appointment is made from those deemed to have met the criteria laid down by NewERA and determined by the PAS. The final appointment is made by a Minister, as is right and proper, because he or she is accountable to this House. I would not like to hive it off to someone who was not accountable.

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