Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have no doubt she will be moving on to a more senior position in any further Cabinet, so it could be a different person in whom we may not have the same type of confidence not to interfere.

The fact that individuals are on this board suggests to me they have the expertise to be members of the board. Therefore, I think it would be a vote of confidence in those people if they were to elect their own chairperson. I accept what Senator Mac Conghail has said in regard to expertise and liaison with the Minister and outlining the needs of the board. However, if the members of the board other than the person appointed by the Minister have not the expertise to be there, then they should not be there in the first instance. I think that answers the question. It is a very rational suggestion that the board members would select or elect their own chairperson. I do not think it should happen that the wrong person gets the position because the wrong person should not be on the board in the first place, so I believe Senator Mac Conghail's argument falls. I will be interested in hearing the Minister's response.