Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 13:

In page 18, lines 35 to 37, to delete subsection (8) and substitute the following new subsection

"(8) The Consultative Group will elect a chairperson at its first meeting."

Section 22(8) states, "The chief executive of the agency or other person nominated by him or her shall be the chairperson of the consultative body". A democratic decision of the consultative body will be denied as a result. The Minister has indicated a super agency representative of various groups will be established. However, all members of the agency will not have the same competence. Each member should have the same status and ability but the Minister stated the chief executive must have super qualities. The chief executive or his or her nominee will appoint the chairperson of the consultative body. The Minister is denying the consultative group the opportunity to elect its own chairperson. She can say she is not sure about who might emerge from within the group but if an agency or board is to work well, its members should have confidence in each other regarding their ability to act as chairperson and they should have equal status. For that reason, I have tabled the amendment.