Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Section 10(1) states, "the Authority shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions". Although I read through section 10, I did not find any minimum number of meetings. I may have missed it, as I do not claim to be the world's greatest authority on these matters. It seems strange that the board would not be obliged to have some meetings. I understand that in company law, there must be some requirement to the effect that boards of directors must meet for a minimum number of times per year. However, I do not retain the entirety of Irish company law in my head.

Is there a reason for this absence, or is it an omission? If it is the latter, will the Minister consider an amendment on Report Stage? I suggest that three of four meetings annually would be a reasonable minimum. However, the idea that the board would only be obliged to meet once a year or once every few years appears strange.