Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

The director is given certain responsibilities regarding the recruitment of some members of staff and promotions. In view of the fact that the Government is setting up the new public service appointments commission, the Bill is giving considerable power to the director. County managers set up interview boards themselves as part of the drive for better local government and this caused deep divisions within local authorities. Therefore, the powers concerning the promotion and recruitment of staff should be given, in this case, to the public service appointments commission. The Minister of State should consider this in the Bill, especially because of what happened in the local authorities.