Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

How many members will be on the board? A minimum of four is mentioned in the Bill. Along with my colleagues, I welcome the fact that the Minister of State will not preclude members of local authorities from becoming members. This has been a constant theme in the legislation we have seen coming through the House in the past number of years. Local authority members are treated as second class citizens. Even if they are the most suitable people to deal with a subject, they are debarred from becoming members of various boards.

In the Harbours (Amendment) Bill which the House discussed recently, a board will be reduced from 12 to eight. I am sure if we had a member or two of local authorities on the 17 member board of FÁS we might not have the problems we do with the board of FÁS at present. I am glad the Minister of State will not preclude members of local authorities from becoming members of this board if they are suitable persons. I am sure many of them are involved in charities throughout the length and breadth of the country. The people in local authorities work from communities that in most instances are involved in charitable work. I welcome the Minister of State's decision in this regard.