Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Bill states that the CEO cannot hold any other office, employment or business without the consent of the board and that the Minister of the day must be informed of any such decision by the board. My understanding of the proposed amendment is it would prohibit the CEO from holding any other office, employment or business without any exception whatsoever. I suggest that while it is hard to see a circumstance, we cannot foresee all circumstances, as Senator Colm Burke outlined. There may be a situation where the CEO may validly request to hold another office. Therefore, it is appropriate that the legislation as it currently stands allows the competency-based board of the day and the new governance structure to be the safeguard in terms of ensuring the CEO does not hold any other office, employment or carry on any other business which conflicts with his or her ability to act as CEO. It also makes the board the appropriate arbitrator and decision-maker in such cases. That is appropriate. I am happy that a competency-based board should be making these decisions and should have the flexibility to make those decisions and, as such, I do not propose to accept the amendment.