Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment moved by Senator Cummins and supported by Senator McCarthy and I hope the Minister of State will be in a position to accept it. Senator Cummins outlined the amendment in detail and made a great case for the retention of councillors on boards. I have been a public representative for many years and I have noted during that time something that all politicians, be they local or national public representatives, have in common, namely, their vested interest in the greater good. This cannot be said of all segments of society. Unions have vested interests but their vested interests are in respect of their employees, particular groups and so on. By and large, the vested interest of local and national politicians is in the greater good.

I am disappointed the Bill contains a proposal which seeks to reduce the number of representatives that may be appointed to boards. Senator O'Donovan mentioned that when he first entered politics we had local health committees. I served as a member of a local health committee, the remit of which was countrywide and membership of which was made up of dentists, doctors and local politicians. The CEO for the health board region was accountable to the local health committee and was required to attend a meeting of the committee each month. He was also accountable to the board of the regional health board. These meetings were open and transparent and public representatives made an enormous contribution to them. They have made an enormous contribution to all the boards of which they have been members.

Whether we like it, public representatives must go before the public every five years. They are vetted by the public and are not re-elected if people believe they are not doing a good job. This Bill seeks to remove accountability from the process. I ask the Minister of State to take on board the comments made by various Senators and to accept the amendment put forward by Senator Cummins.