Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Barrett for tabling this amendment. This is provided for in section 22(8) of the Bill and means that the local authority must appoint people in accordance with the public appointments process laid down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Given we achieve the same objective in a different part of the Bill, I am not in a position to accept the Senator's amendment. I assure him, however, that the process and the objective he hopes to deliver is being achieved but in a different part of the Bill.