Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

We do not want the situation to arise where the chairman, in the event of a chief executive not being available, steps into the chief executive's shoes. The legislation provides that a member of staff would replace the chief executive but there may be circumstances where a member of staff would not have the required skills or expertise. In that event it would be necessary to take on an adviser or consultant for the period during which the chief executive was not available. From that point of view, I do not accept the amendments. The Senator accepted that point on Committee Stage.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 42 not moved.

Government amendment No. 43:

In page 24, to delete lines 7 to 9, and substitute the following:

"(d) a member of the staff of the Agency, and

(e) a member of the committee.".