Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming. The Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Simon Harris, was here for previous Stages when we had quite a detailed debate on the Bill, particularly about the duration of the term that was supposed to be set for the posts of Clerk of the Seanad and Clerk of the Dáil. I will not go over all of the details, as I am sure the Minister’s officials have already advised him on the matter.

In general, I support the Bill, but there were concerns across the House about the issue of progression within the Civil Service, the suitability of persons for these posts and, more importantly, possible unintended consequences of the legislation. The concerns pertained to the perception that, because a timeframe was being set, it would give the commission more control and that one could have political influence on appointments, particularly those of the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad. If a given Minister or commission did not like an individual, he, she or it could actually reduce the term. As the maximum term is not specified, will the Minister provide details of the term the Government is looking to set? The Minister of State took note of these points and I would like to see them being addressed. I do not suggest the Government is looking to control these appointments or the terms of appointments; however, the running of Seanad elections and by-elections requires someone with a great deal of experience in the role of Clerk of the Seanad. Someone could be serving a five year term which would expire before the holding of a Seanad election. I do not have to remind colleagues of the importance of the Seanad nomination process and being able to say someone has been validly nominated to a given panel. I refer to the Seanad as constituted because there are no other reform proposals to be implemented before the next Seanad election. As these concerns have not been addressed, I ask the Minister how he see this legislation working? Will he indicate how it can be ensured someone with experience will fill the role and that in the future a Clerk of the Seanad cannot be removed by a commission or that he or she will not leave his or her post at a time when they will be most required?