Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

One might consider the committee or Minister in this regard but, wherever one looks, somebody will contradict one. There needs to be some reflection on all the various components of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the making of the appointment. Nothing would be worse than having someone's disgruntlement with an appointment causing tensions that should never arise between a Clerk and Oireachtas Members.

With regard to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, I would argue with the Minister. Maybe he can reflect on it. If there is future legislation to change the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the Minister should ensure its members reflect the party composition of the Houses. In the past, it was argued there is a cost. I am a firm believer there should not be a major cost associated with having Oireachtas Members on a committee. Many of us are on several committees and there is no major remuneration, if any. It is part of our duties. In this regard, parties with more than a certain number of Members get paid. We are recognised in terms of leaders' allowances. In some ways, one is already paid in that part of one's duty is to service institutions in which one is serving. Perhaps we could increase the membership on the commission by three to five people, or perhaps not. However, at the very least, the composition should reflect the party membership. In theory, the members are directors of a company. Anybody who understands company law will understand directors of a company are not serving their own interests but those of the company primarily. In theory, one leaves one's politics at the door of a commission meeting and serves the company. This might need to be reflected in any changes made to the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. The commission works well, and did in the past in terms of some of the committees. We work collegially on most of the committees. It is really only on legislation that Members divide on party grounds. Some of the Labour Party Members have been more forceful in arguing with the Minister on social protection than I have been. However, when there is legislation, they are whipped in a certain way. By contrast, in a company or the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, the directors are not whipped in a certain way. The issue before the commission members is the running of the Houses and we must determine the best possible arrangement.

My main gripe is that this matter is out of our hands in some ways. It is a pity the legislation has taken this long because a very capable person has been in a position for too long without having had the opportunity to put his name forward for the full position. He might not wish to do so. There are others who are sitting in the background waiting. It should not have taken this long. It is not major legislation and we should have been able to pass it much quicker.

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