Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Section 36, subsections (2) and (3) state:

(2) The audit committee is to consist of the following persons, all of whom are to be appointed by the Garda Commissioner:

(a) a Deputy Garda Commissioner;

(b) one person nominated by the Minister;

(c) not fewer than 3 other persons who have relevant skills and experience and none of whom is, or has ever been, a member of the Garda Síochána.

(3) The Garda Commissioner shall designate as the chairperson of the audit committee one of the persons appointed under subsection (2)(c). . .

Subsection (5) states:

(5) The members appointed under subsection (2)(c) hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Garda Commissioner with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

It is important the audit committee is independent and is chaired by an outsider. The independence of the auditing process is a serious requirement. I do not see why the Garda representative bodies should appoint somebody to that function any more than the workers of a company should appoint an audit committee of that company under company governance. It is not necessary to put such a provision in place. I will not accept the amendment.