Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The Aviation (Regulations) Act, 2001, contains a similar provision. It is a standard provision which enables the agency to indemnify a person to whom this section applies against actions arising from bona fide performance of their duties.

I am somewhat astounded – I have said this before – at the number and quality of people who put themselves forward for positions on this board. They are willing to put themselves into the public eye, something which they could do without. In many cases, they receive only a pittance for the work they undertake. The least we, as a State, can afford them is protection against their personal liability in any instances where they could be sued, provided they have been bona fide in the delivery of their duties. I recently set up an appeals process in my Department. The person to be paid for the work involved has specifically asked for a similar indemnification. I can understand why. People must be sure they will not be personally sued. Obviously the agency could be sued and would operate under an umbrella regarding any difficulties which it, because of its decisions, had made.

It is only right and proper that the people involved in the agency, provided they have discharged their duties in a bona fide manner, be afforded this protection.