Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Senator. The team should not be a man or a woman short. The difficulty with the amendment is that it would remove the maximum stipulation of six months and reset it at one month. As the Minister for Finance has previously indicated, that is a very short period. Some reflection might be required across government in bringing forward a suitable candidate to replace someone who leaves the council. In addition, the chosen individual may need to consider whether he or she wants to serve on the council. The six month period proposed in the legislation would be the exception rather than the norm. It would be the intention of the Government and the Minister of Finance to make appointments in a shorter timeframe. As far as I am aware, it is solely a matter for the Minister to actually appoint replacements. However, I am sure he would want to engage in reflection with a number of Government colleagues on any person who might be put forward as a replacement. It is not his intention to take six months to fill a vacancy. Limiting the period to one month would create difficulties from the perspective of the Minister and his ministerial colleagues engaging in discussions. It would also give rise to problems for an individual being offered an appointment in the context of his or her having very limited time in which to decide whether to accept or decline such an offer. That is the rationale behind not accepting the amendment.