Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I should point out that the appointment of the director in 2012 followed a public selection process. This individual was chosen following an open and fair competition process. There was not an automatic reappointment. The board of the Teaching Council decided that it was its preference that this individual would continue to do the work that he was undertaking, and for good reason. The director has undertaken a great deal of reforming work that is in train.

The board's concern related to a legal question as to whether the appointment for a second term would give rise to a contract of indefinite duration, in other words, the individual would become permanent for all time. That issue was required to be resolved. The individual has been appointed for a second term, but that does not contain a commitment to continue his service beyond that term.

It is often the case that when the board of a State body has confidence in a particularly good individual, it will reappointment him or her for fear of losing the individual. That is the situation in this case. The board recommended and we resolved the issue.

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