Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I said earlier, I would have tabled amendments to this section if we had been given sufficient time but that is not the fault of the Minister of State. This section relates to the appointment of the chief executive. Section 22(2) states: "Subject to subsection (5), the chief executive shall be appointed by Sport Ireland with the approval of the Minister, and may, with the approval of the Minister, be removed from office for stated reasons by Sport Ireland." That is the main part of the section. I will go through section 22(3) and (4) in a moment.

In August last year, the Minister of State said that the chief executive of Sport Ireland would be appointed by him following an interview process. He stated that he would set up a mechanism where there would be an interview process and that anyone would be free to make an application to that. However, he stated he would be appointing the first chief executive and that it would be a matter for individuals whether to make an application for that job.

That is clearly not the position in the Bill the Minister of State has brought before the Seanad. Section 22(3) states: "The Minister may, before the establishment date, designate a person to be appointed the first chief executive of Sport Ireland for a term to be determined by the Minister." Since it states "may", the Minister of State may say he will not do that. Section 22(4) states: "Where a competition to appoint a chief executive is held prior to the establishment day, the successful candidate may be appointed by the Minister as the chief executive officer designate." The section then goes on to list the powers of the chief executive.

I am aware of the commitment of the Minister of State and of many Members to sport and of the important role it plays in this country. It also has an important role in terms of culture, education and the economy. The chief executive will drive the ethos and the future direction of that body and will make most of the decisions of that body.

The chief executive will be appointed by Sport Ireland. Let us forget about the interim chief executive, which is provided for in this Bill. In future, will the board of Sport Ireland appoint the chief executive? The Bill makes no reference to an interview process, public consultation process, public advertisement process or anything like that. This is a deficiency in the legislation. Every organisation needs to be refreshed. We should not be giving people jobs for 20, 30 or 40 years, although if they are doing the job well, then that is fantastic and they should keep doing it.

Let us consider the next subsection. The Minister can designate a chief executive for Sport Ireland. The Minister of State said on Second Stage that the position would be for 12 months. Section 22(3) refers to "a term to be determined by the Minister". If it is the case that the Minister designates an interim chief executive for 12 months, from what date will that appointment commence? Will it be set down clearly that after 12 months, a public interview process will be held and Sport Ireland will advertise for a chief executive? If that is the case, who will decide whether the interim chief executive will be part of that decision? Will the existing board of Sport Ireland be part of that decision? Those my questions on section 22. I would have tabled amendments but there was insufficient time to do so.