Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that the role of the person to be appointed is broader than either of the two previous portfolios. Notwithstanding the economic straightjacket under which we all must exist, we would expect there will possibly be an increase in the salary. If the salary has been approved already by the Department, presumably it is not a State secret. It would be helpful, before the debate concludes, that the figure would be made known.

My questions relate to the fact the Minister of State will be making this appointment. Deputy Ring made a reasonable case as to why he has a 12-month limit on the interim appointment and why he needs to proceed as the legislation is written. I have two questions. First, is there a timescale or has the Minister of State an idea as to when the appointment will be made? Will it be within a number of days or weeks of the legislation passing? When might Deputy Ring be in a position to make that appointment?

Second, on the basis that the appointment is in the Minister of State's hands, are those who might be outside the fold already, but who might be interested in this interim appointment, in a position to contact, or apply to, him? The Minister of State is, in a sense, the competition for this job. There is no competition authority and the Minister of State is the person making the appointment. If a person is interested, can he or she make his or her interest in being considered for the interim appointment known to the Minister of State or has he thought about how he will take this relatively difficult decision? The timeframe and process, I suppose, is what I am wondering about.