Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Who demanded that section 12 read as it does? Whom does it benefit? Does it benefit the science foundation, the Minister or the Civil Service? When did the section appear in the Bill? Senator O'Toole rightly pointed out that it may possibly have appeared after it was seen by the Minister at draft stage. Who explicitly decided to debar all public representatives, politicians by and large, from taking seats on this board? Does the inclusion of the section benefit the science foundation or someone in the Department? Did this section appear in the Bill before or after it was initially drafted for the Minister?