Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The purpose of these amendments is to make provision for a chief executive designate of the authority and they have been introduced in consultation with the chairperson designate. They are also in line with the statutory procedures that have been adopted for other State agencies.

Senators will be aware that I am making arrangements for the authority to operate in shadow format pending the enactment and commencement of the legislation. This is a process that is specifically provided for in the Bill. Currently, arrangements are being made with the Public Appointments Service for the selection of the ordinary members designate. It is also proposed that the chief executive will be in place as quickly as possible following a selection process to be undertaken by the Public Appointments Service. It is important that in the event that the selection of the chief executive by the Public Appointments Service is completed before the commencement of the legislation, the person selected will be in a position to operate as a chief executive designate. This will significantly facilitate the preparations for the establishment of the authority.

The authority will formally appoint a chief executive designate as the chief executive, following the establishment day. Amendments Nos 75 and 76 make this possible. Amendments Nos. 77 to 84 are technical and consequential on amendments 75 and 76. They operate to re-number subsections (2) to (9).