Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Diarmuid Wilson for his wisdom as he has alerted me to a few thoughts I had not had. It is about transparency and rigour. I have no issue with a board electing a chairperson if every single one of the nine members is suitable and sufficiently qualified. Who, on behalf of the State and the taxpayer, assesses the necessary skills and expertise of the board? Who satisfies the National Concert Hall that they are doing the job they are meant to do?

Section 10(2)(c) states: "The Minister shall have regard to any guidelines prepared by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to appointments to boards of State bodies." Perhaps this is where an amendment might be brought forward to satisfy Senators' anxiety about the independence of the board. I think the Government has learned from recent appointments-----