Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive. This is a common legislative provision that provides that a person may not be appointed to the board or remain on it if he or she is or becomes a Member of the Oireachtas, the European Parliament or a local authority. The reason for it is to keep the work of the new body apolitical. As I stated, the Bill provides that the board is competency-based. I am sure we can all agree that that is what is required for a body of this nature and national importance.

Best practice should dictate whether a person should be considered for board membership. There should be no perception that the person could be biased or influenced in the independent decisions to be made by the board owing to a particular political affiliation. Accordingly, I do not propose to accept amendments Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive.

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