Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Regarding the nine members, if that needs to be clarified, we must clarify it. It is the intention that they will be elected. In the event of only nine people putting themselves forward, obviously there would not be an election but I envisage more than nine will come forward. There is a good deal of interest in being involved with the society.

Regarding the issue of appointment by the Minister, that issue arose with the medical practitioners. We have a consistent approach whereby all regulatory bodies are appointed by the Minister. It is not the intention that the Minister would not accept the nine candidates put forward. I have given an undertaking that I will make that clear in the Medical Council legislation because some people were saying that if the Minister does not like the doctors elected, she will pick her own. That is not the case. It is automatic. Everybody will be appointed on the same basis and hopefully on the same day. It is to be consistent with all other regulatory bodies that we are doing it in this way. If there is any concern that the Minister would not appoint the people put forward by the society, I am happy to clarify that is not the intention.

On the question of the election of members, we will bring forward an amendment to clarify that it will be by election rather than selection. If only nine candidates come forward, I suppose it would still be an election.