Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's comments. I do not want to labour the point, because I do not think the future of the National Concert Hall will hinge on this amendment, but I respectfully differ in opinion from herself and Senator Mac Conghail. I do not think any of the points they have raised are insurmountable. In a scenario where there is a new board coming together, one could put an interim chairperson in place for the first meeting or two and then, when the members of the board have got to know each other, let them appoint whom they think is most appropriate. I also think it is possibly a bit condescending to say that the board members would not be in a position to choose from among those who have been appointed to the board somebody suitable for the role of chairperson, and that the Minister would know better because she will have read all the CVs. I take it that all of the CVs could be made available to the board members, which would put them in a very good position to choose a chairperson, knowing the area very well and having expertise in the area.I can appreciate that this is a difference of policy. It is a policy decision. The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is in the seat and she is making the decision. It is quite clear that she is not going to accept the amendment. It would have been a very positive amendment to accept and it would have given a good message to the new board. I wish the new board all the best and I wish all involved in the National Concert Hall continued success in the work they are doing.