Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

While the Minister of State is checking the document, I will take the opportunity to voice my opposition to the exclusion of Members of the Seanad from membership of the board, under subsection 22(5)(a). This issue was raised in the context of our debate on the legislation introducing the Injuries Board. A former Senator, Joe O'Toole, was appointed vice chairman of that board by the former Minister for Health, Mary Harney. There is no reason that a Member of this House would not be suitable to serve on such boards. A qualified nurse or midwife who becomes a Member of Seanad Éireann should not be precluded from membership under this legislation. It is impractical and unfair.

We have a very well qualified MEP, Ms Phil Prendergast, who is an excellent midwife. In case of membership of the European Parliament, the exclusion contained in subsection 22(5) seems reasonable. Likewise, exclusion of Members of the Dáil is acceptable because the demands of that role are different to those of a Senator. Senators, on the other hand, could fit very easily into this board and their service would be of great benefit to this House and to the Oireachtas. Nevertheless, I am prepared to accept the exclusion of Oireachtas Members. However, I will call for a vote on this section unless there is a satisfactory response from the Minister of State in regard to the exclusion of local authority members.