Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Section 11(3) sets out a series of issues which disqualify board members, including bankruptcy and making an arrangement with creditors. This is a reasonable requirement for board members, particularly given that the NCH operates in a quasi-commercial arena. It would be prudent to continue with that provision. It only applies if someone is a member of the board and becomes bankrupt.

Going back to the issue regarding Members of the Dáil and Seanad, I have taken the view that national politicians operating on the national stage should not be linked to a board. The Senator mentioned local authority members. Local authority members are not in this Chamber or the Dáil voting on budgets that affect our national cultural institutions. For that reason, I am concerned that there may be a conflict of interest, regardless of whether one sits on the Opposition benches or the Government benches.