Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I spoke on this matter on Second Stage, I said I felt that the legislation was sloppy. I still believe that is the case. I do not believe there is any justification for being so vague about these exceptionally important positions in both Houses. It has been pointed out repeatedly that we are not just dealing with higher civil servants; we are dealing with people who are operating at a constitutional level and whose job is not just about administering the Houses. There are also external positions involved, which has wider implications for the entire political system. Considering the calibre of person that is expected to be appointed, it would not be attractive to someone outside the House who considers the possibility of applying for one of these positions if an abstract approach is taken to time periods. While I accept that provision is made for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to specify a period, I do not understand the reason a specific period is not specified in the Bill, given the importance of the positions.

The Minister of State indicated that, on the expiry of the term of office of the individuals in question, they may be transferred within the public service. The Bill does not make any such explicit reference. This raises the issue, to which previous speakers alluded, of what will happen at the end of the term of office. I ask the Minister of State to elaborate on how this process will work.