Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2a:

In page 16, subsection (1)(d), line 17, to delete "elected or co-opted as a member of a local authority,".

Over the years, certainly under the dual mandate, it was felt that if people were worthy enough to be elected to a local authority or city council, they should be able to act as members of boards. Amendment No. 2b seeks to delete "or a member of a local authority" in lines 33 and 34, and amendment No. 2c seeks to delete paragraph (c) in lines 44 and 45.

We must strike a balance. There seems to be much more emphasis than there was heretofore on excluding members of local authorities from committees or boards such as those under discussion. I would not call this politically correct. They often have a very deep knowledge of how the system works and possess common sense. Not everybody would be acceptable on a board. Most people on the boards in question will be interested in sport and will be from a business background, but not too many people, other than those with a local authority background, will have a deep knowledge of how the system works. I was on a many boards and in a chamber of commerce before I became involved in politics but discovered that being a member of a local authority gave me the desired vision and knowledge. The deletions I propose should be made.