Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We already have guidelines on appointments to State boards that set out the confirmation process for chairperson. In fact, I think the chair designate of the HSE board offered to go before the Joint Committee on Health and the committee decided it did not need to meet with him. Persons being proposed by the Minister for appointment as chairpersons of State boards or agencies are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas committee to discuss the approach they will take to their role as chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question. This is a proportionate approach to take where the proposed chairperson comes before the relevant committee. I think it works well in practice.

This amendment would place in legislation a requirement not only that the proposed chairperson but all the proposed members of the board would have to come before the committee to discuss their approach and views about the future contribution of the board. When this amendment was put forward previously, the point was made that the chairperson has a crucial role in leading the board. Collectively, we made a conscious decision in recent years to take politics and party politics out of selecting board members. As a result, the Public Appointments Service makes a recommendation to the Minister independent of the Minister, people are short-listed and the chair then goes before the committee. I worry whether this amendment would bring a degree of politicisation into the process. I am not sure about its appropriateness. I note that there is no requirement in the code of practice for other members to appear. I appreciate what Deputy O'Reilly is trying to do but we would be placing a much higher burden on a member of this board than on a member of any other board in the State. I am not sure that is the best way to attract people to put themselves forward for State boards. I am satisfied that the current guidelines are appropriate and that the chair would come before the committee, as appropriate. Indeed, that would be at the request of the chairperson.

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