Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the basics first. In the design structure of this legislation, people who are characterised as lobbyists, which is set out in the Bill in the definition of a lobbyist, are required to register when engaged in lobbying. This is the general architecture of the Bill. On State board appointments, there is a new State boards appointments system in place since the end of last year. All appointments to State boards must go through this process. Candidates must apply through the portal, stateboards.ie, for the specific vacancies which will be set out on the website. The qualifications required for the particular jobs or positions to be advertised will be set out. Applications will be made and those applications will be individually professionally vetted by the Public Appointments Service, as it does for all appointments in the public service generally. It will then present a suitable list to the Minister of people it deems to be qualified for the Minister to make the final selection. This is the process. Should, for example, the National Women's Council, a disability group or any other group wish to say there are not enough women on any board, they are entitled and should be entitled to do this. This is the raison d'être. They meet a Minister and they say to him or her that there is a national obligation to reach the stated target of 40% and this has not happened. They can tell the Minister to get on with it and ensure there are enough applicants. They also can, within the community, seek out applicants. For example, if they want to promote women, they can encourage them to apply through the stateboards.ie portal. I hope this is clear.