Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

These amendments seek to set out the statutory regime in respect of the staff and the chief executive of the board. I am sure neither the Minister, nor I or anyone else wants this to turn into a large quango.

I do not believe that will be the case. The Parole Board currently operates efficiently on limited resources and I do not see any reason it should have to become much bigger as a statutory body than it currently is as a non-statutory body. The workload will increase over the years and it will be necessary for the board to be properly resourced. For that reason, it is appropriate that we set out procedures and rules for the staff and chief executive of the board and that the Minister will be able to appoint staff to it. In doing so, I have no doubt that he will liaise with the members of the board on what the full requirements of their workload are.

Amendment No. 27 deals with superannuation. Amendments Nos. 28, 29, and 30 deal with the accountability of the chief executive to the Committee of Public Accounts and other Oireachtas committees. All Members of the Oireachtas will know that when the chief executive of the Parole Board comes before any Oireachtas committee, they will not be able to ask him questions about individual parole cases. I know that will not happen, but I am pleased to see it set out in the legislation that the function of the Committee of Public Accounts is to ensure the Parole Board's moneys are being appropriately and properly spent.

Deputy Connolly's amendment No. 31 has been overtaken by events as we have already amended the section dealing with membership of the board and the reference to the Irish Penal Reform Trust has been removed. It is a matter for Deputy Connolly but I do not think it is necessary to push her amendment since the relevant provision has already been changed. I will support these amendments.

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