Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept what the Minister of State has said, but the Chairman of the committee does not have to ask them and they do not have to come. If the existing wording stands then only the chairperson will appear. I do not know whether anyone will look back and say the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, said all the council members ought to appear even though the Bill states it is just the chairperson who must appear. I do not see him as a CEO. It is not a bureaucracy. The strength of the council is that it is a collection of people who have given their time and ideas on how to improve the economy. I see them as equals and the chairperson as primus inter pares. I do not like the all-powerful CEO model. In a world of ideas that does not work. It could be the fourth or fifth member of the council who gives the most ideas when the Oireachtas committee meets the council. Perhaps a reference to the ?council? appearing before the committee rather than the ?chairperson? might be considered.