Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Buttimer. The Minister of State at the outset said he was extending the composition of the board and that he would not prohibit local authority members from being members of the board. I compliment him on taking account of what we said on Second Stage. We never sought that they would be members of boards but we certainly do not want one group prohibited from being on the board. I compliment the Minister of State on those two issues.

I mentioned on Second Stage that I felt the Garda Síochána could play a major role in this Bill and that a member of the Garda Síochána should be a member of the board. Gardaí have a great deal to offer as they know more about these organisations than the vast majority of the public. It is a matter the Minister of State could examine. He did not mention it at the outset when he spoke about local authority members. I welcome the decision the Minister of State has made not to preclude local authority members from being members of the board and the fact that the board will be extended.