Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I do not wish to labour the point, but I recall having to beg the trade unions and employers to change their nominees to one high profile board from males to females because there was little scope to change other nominations. My experience has been that the trade union movement has not covered itself in glory in making nominations to boards. I accept that the Senator is not suggesting we appoint nominees from the consumer associations. If a direction is given in the legislation, the Minister has to comply by promoting people with expertise in consumer affairs, administration, finance, management and business. I am prepared to reconsider the issue before Report Stage.

Amendment agreed to.

Government amendment No. 17:

In page 20, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following subsection:

"(6) (a) Of the members appointed to the Authority on the establishment day, 5 members (but excluding the Chairperson) shall, subject to this Act, hold office for a period of 3 years from the date of their respective appointments as such members.

(b) The 5 members of the Authority referred to in paragraph (a) shall be selected by the drawing of lots, conducted in such manner as the Chairperson of the Authority thinks proper, at the first meeting of the Authority referred to in section 11(3).

(c) A member of the Authority may be selected as one of the 5 members of the Authority referred to in paragraph (a) notwithstanding the fact that he or she is not present at the first meeting of the Authority referred to in section 11(3).

(d) Notwithstanding section 11(2), the quorum for the first meeting of the Authority referred to in section 11(3) shall be 7 in so far as that meeting relates to selecting the 5 members of the Authority referred to in paragraph (a).".

Amendment agreed to.

Government amendment No. 18:

In page 22, lines 6 to 9, to delete subsection (15) and substitute the following:

"(15) (a) A member of the Authority who, pursuant to subsection (6), holds office for a period of 3 years from the date of his or her appointment shall, for the purposes of subsection (6), be considered to have served a term as a member of the Authority even though he or she did not hold office for the period of 4 years referred to in subsection (5).

(b) A person who occasions or fills a vacancy shall, for the purposes of subsection (6), be considered to have served a term as a member of the Authority even though he or she held office for part only of the term.".

Amendment agreed to.

Section 9, as amended, agreed to.

Sections 10 to 17, inclusive, agreed to.

SECTION 18.