Michael McDowell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

What is so special about this job? There are all sorts of positions in the Civil Service and many people can remain in the public service in similar circumstances. Why has this job been selected for an arbitrary maximum duration of ten years? I do not see the logic of it. I presume the Minister will have notes from the drafting stage of the Bill, which will justify a maximum period. Supposing a man or woman was appointed to this job aged 52 and was doing a stellar job directing this commission, notwithstanding the fact that I do not approve of it, why should they be given the boot aged 62? Why would the Oireachtas, in its wisdom, decide they had to go aged 62? No policy reason has been advanced for such an arbitrary provision. It is unfair on somebody who gets the job and it seems to be designed to make it almost impossible for somebody who is not on secondment from the Civil Service, or some other employment to which they can return afterwards. I find that to be indefensible.