Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I am grateful to Senator Browne for tabling this amendment and giving us an opportunity to discuss this issue. Since Committee Stage of the Bill, my colleagues and I raised this matter at the meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on Tuesday. I spoke about it to the Taoiseach, the Minister for Health and Children, and the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power. It has been passed by the Dáil but this debate can bring to the attention of the Government the deep concerns of Members of this House about the exclusion of members of the local authorities from membership of boards and committees.

It was purposely stated that Members of the Oireachtas or possibly of the European Parliament could become members of the PIAB which is an important board. It is time to review the rights of members of local authorities to be appointed to boards.