Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask about the appointment of the board. We are advised the Sport Ireland board shall consist of 13 members, one of whom should be a chairperson and the members shall be appointed by the Minister. The tradition now with the appointment to State boards across the spectrum is that while the Minister might make the appointments, at least some if not all the appointments are made following nominations received by various agencies, groupings and bodies. Here it appears the Minister will have the unhappy task of making the 13 appointments himself or herself. Would it not have been possible to have a requirement that certain organisations or groupings in the broader sporting, cultural or educational fields should make nominations to the Minister who would then pick the nominations? It appears from how it is written that the Minister will simply make the appointments and there is no possibility of nominations from third or fourth parties. The GAA or IRFU will not be in a position to make a name available. It appears to be going contrary to what is the norm for board appointments. The Government makes much play of the fact that board appointments are generally made on the recommendation of other agencies and the Minister picks from a list made available to him or her. Will any groupings be in a position to submit names to the Minister or will it be purely a matter for the Minister and the Department to make the nominations? If it is, perhaps it is disappointing. Without overplaying the words "transparency" and "accountability" we need to ensure the board looks very representative, open and democratic. We have a difficulty, and I admit it is minor, with the direct appointment by the Minister of the first interim chief executive, but if the Minister on his or her own will appoint the longer-term appointments of the 13 members, it does not present a helpful picture. What range of involvement and engagement will there be in selecting the initial board? It will have much power in appointing a chief executive and taking major decisions down the line. How open will the nomination process be?