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

I thank Senators for their contributions. I appreciate where people are coming from in respect of this. Senator O'Brien mentioned the Ceann Comhairle. The Ceann Comhairle is the chairman of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission, not just the Dáil, and the commission is representative of parliamentarians. This Government and the previous one are anxious to give the commission maximum flexibility. That is the motivation behind the Bill. As in every other facet of the public service, flexibility is required, and we are trying to ensure we can maximise the potential for flexibility. In terms of the points being made about fixed terms, and I did give the example of seven years, Secretaries General of Departments are also appointed for fixed terms, so there is a precedent for this within the public service.