Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister made reference to the fact that potential candidates for the board passed through an independent panel. Will she provide details on the members of that panel? She said that the chairperson must have the trust and confidence of the Minister. Does this mean the Minister does not have trust and confidence in the other members that have not been appointed chairman?

As Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has said, the Minister's reply strengthens our argument that the chairperson should be elected by the entire membership of the board. If a Minister has a difficulty in working with the elected person after a period of time and if it affects the smooth operation of the board, then the Minister should outline his or her concerns about the chairperson and make those concerns known to the board.