Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 59 is a response to the question of private companies that may be contracted. It is a transparency mechanism. We do not want a consultant to become a de facto member, which we know sometimes happens. An adviser or consultant can be there for ten or 15 years, effectively managing a board while members come and go. I know this is not the intent of the Minister of State. Given his generosity in accepting amendment No. 58, I will not press amendment No. 59. Amendment No 58 will, in itself, require clear parameters of service and will address the concerns I was dealing with in amendment No. 59.