Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will have to check that with my officials. I understand the salary will be the same. I was not part of the negotiations but it has been agreed with the Department. I will write officially to the Senator and give him details. I was not part of those discussions, so I do not know. I will appoint the first chief executive for one year and I am doing it simply because the Senator and his party had concerns about me appointing someone for five years. I did not want that. The new board must be appointed through the new arrangements and the chairman of the board will be appointed. After one year, it will be signed into law that the board must appoint the chief executive, like other State agencies. This is way other State agencies operate. The Minister of State will have no say in it. I presume the board must go through Government procedures. Current procedures will be used.