Derek McDowell (Labour)

The Tánaiste correctly anticipated the point I was about to make. I had in mind a particular State board whose chairman was also its chief executive officer. It is now generally accepted that this practice should be avoided on State boards. In a sense, we are seeking to go a step further by ensuring the chief executive officer could not be a voting member of the board and would be permitted to attend ex officio only. While it is clear the Tánaiste does not intend to accept the amendment, the proposal deserves further consideration not only in the context of the Bill, but of State boards generally. If it is not good for the chief executive officer to be a chairman, he or she should not have a vote in the first place. I will withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.