Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

These changes to section 9 are, to a large extent, in response to suggestions made in the Second Stage debate. The revised subsection (3) sets out in greater detail the matters to be taken into account when the members are being appointed to the board of the authority. The new subsection (4) specifies that three members of the authority must be representatives of the property services industry. It also provides for the appointment of an officer of the Minister to the board. The appointment of an officer of the Minister to a body such as the authority is a common provision in legislation of this nature.

Subsection (6) of the new provision provides that in the case of the first board of the authority, five members will hold office for a period of three rather than four years. The five members will be selected by drawing lots at the first meeting of the board. This provision is intended to ensure continuity of the board. There is an overlap between the disclosure of interests requirements set out in sections 14 and 15 and in the Ethics in Public Office Acts. I might propose amendments to this section on Report Stage to eliminate any overlap.