Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I do not accept the Minister of State's reply on that issue. The Minister mentioned that the quorum is set at five. If an important decision is voted on by all 11 members present at a meeting and there are six for and five against, it would be hard to stomach but people would accept it. If six members were absent and only five voted on an issue and the outcome was three versus two, there would be public outrage if it was a decision that could have a significant impact in a different part of the country.

The danger is that absenteeism could result in very unusual and improper decisions. If the full board is present the issues will be properly debated and, perhaps, voted on. Although the example I give is an extreme one, it would not be satisfactory if only the bare minimum of the board were to make important decisions. That would be a disaster and would make a mockery of the whole set up.

Regarding absence, the Minister referred to the six-month rule. Can he clarify how many meetings a member would miss in a six-month period?