Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

The exclusion should be challenged. I would love to see someone take a court action under equality legislation. If a Senator, Deputy or local authority member wishes to be a member of a board to which he or she has a contribution to make, he or she should be allowed to be appointed. Public representatives should not be disbarred because they are Members of the Oireachtas. While it is not an issue to discuss further today, it is one worth bearing in mind for later. I am not sure what group of people has an agenda which is against politicians, but I feel more and more that it is considered a crime to be one. If a person is willing to bring experience as an individual and public representative to bear in a committee, he or she should be allowed to do so. The Minister of State should consider the exclusion in the Bill of politicians from any committee or board.