Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the most important skills anybody on this board would have is financial skills and the ability to make good judgment when investments are being are being considered. I absolutely recognise the mandate and the key role ICTU has in representing workers. I do not want to tie the hands of any future Minister. If an application is made through the PAS, I have no doubt the Minister of the day will give it due consideration to it and that a member of ICTU could contribute in the same way as others whose names are put forward. For that reason, I cannot accept the amendment. If I did, I would end up widening it out and then I would have a plethora of representative organisations looking to sit on this board. I would then be afraid we would have nobody with the right skill set. I am very conscious that this is workers' money.

Many of the AE participants will not be a member of any trade union. In fairness, workers who are part of a trade union are probably fortunate enough to have a pension whereas those not in a trade union are probably not in that position and do not have that pension at the minute. I hope the Deputies understand the point I am making here.

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