Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 15, to delete lines 20 to 24 and substitute the following:

“(2) Subject to subsection (3)—

(a) the chairperson and ordinary members of the Board shall be appointed by the Minister from among persons who, in the opinion of the Minister, have sufficient experience and expertise relating to matters connected with the functions of the Agency to enable them to make a substantial contribution to the effective and efficient performance of those functions,

(b) in relation to the ordinary members so appointed a majority shall be persons who have carried out or undertaken research or innovation, and

(c) appointments under paragraph (b) shall be made so as to provide an equitable balance between research and innovation carried out or undertaken in different fields of activity and disciplines.”.

When we raised this matter on Committee Stage, we received a comprehensive reply from the Minister. We decided to reintroduce the amendment because we want to seek reassurances in respect of the issues it raises. It is about ensuring that, as the agency is a research funding entity, the majority of persons on the board shall have carried out or undertaken research and innovation. I want to get the Minister's response to the amendment on the record.

See this speech in context