Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The chief deciding officer should be able to appoint his or her staff independently. The idea is that the chances of having to appeal decision with a genuinely independent staff in place will be reduced. I am not talking about setting up a whole new State agency, which is different from what we proposed on the birth information legislation. If I was appointed in the morning as an independent person and I said I needed to appoint five, six, seven or eight staff, there is no way that would take 18 months. I cannot understand how that can be used as an argument.

There might be many appeals, which I 100% support. Appeals are really important and they should be independent. I welcome that part of it. However, there will be less likelihood of appeals if we have a really decent, genuine, independent service that goes by what is right and by the regulations, and which is not necessarily kind of tainted in its view, for want of better words.

I honestly cannot understand what the issue is with this. If the person is supposed to be independent, let him or her appoint his or her own staff. That is one of the key things about being independent. I cannot understand it. Part of me is annoyed at myself for being annoyed because this whole legislation is so flawed. I forget her exact words, but Deputy Connolly spoke about trying to change something that is already so flawed. These are minor things. I really think the Minister can concede some of these points. I honestly do not see how there is any difficulty with somebody who is forced to be dependent appointing his or her own staff.

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