Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the timeframe, the minute we get the legislation through, I will make a decision on it because we need to get the new agency up and running and I want to put an interim chief executive in place. Then I need to put in place a chairman and board. I want to have all of this done because one year from when it is set up, this new position will be made available. We could have made the appointment for life but I did not do that. Senator Darragh O'Brien must be fair. Under the Act, the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, and I could given ourselves the power to put this person in for life or set a timeframe but we do not want to do that.

Senator Bradford asked a question to which I will give an honest answer. I want to get this up and running as quickly as possible because there are a lot of very serious problems outstanding in some of these agencies. I want to get this board up and running and I want to get the chief executive in place as quickly as possible. I do not want two agencies running sport. One agency is enough.

The new chief executive, whoever that person will be, will have a big responsibility and have a major role. In the next number of weeks, I will discuss with the interim chief executive staffing problems, quotas and everything else to try to get this up and running as quickly as possible. Shortly after this legislation is passed, we will appoint the short-term chief executive. Then it will be up to the board. As with every other State agency, the board appoints the CEO. At the end of the day, naturally enough, it will have to go through the rules and regulations of the day.

I understand the approved figure for the role - it is not really over the top - is €125,000 per year. Senator Darragh O'Brien now has the answer. I do not know whether that represents an increase. Although I am open to correction, I think it does not.