Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 10:

In page 19, to delete lines 29 and 30.

Amendment No. 10 is a simple enough amendment proposing to delete lines 29 and 30. The purpose of this amendment is to edit the conditions for reappointment of an ordinary member to the Electoral Commission at the conclusion of his or her term. The Bill currently provides that an ordinary member is eligible for reappointment after the conclusion of either a three or four year term. The conditions for reappointment state that it is not necessary for the person to participate in a selection competition, be recommended for reappointment by the Public Appointments Service, PAS, or be recommended for reappointment following the passing of a resolution by both Houses of the Oireachtas.It seems important that the Oireachtas should continue to have oversight of these appointments irrespective of whether they are first-time appointments or reappointments. These amendments, therefore, seek to delete the last of these provisions from the Bill and would make it so that a person seeking reappointment to the commission would still need to be recommended for appointment following the passing of a resolution by both Houses of the Oireachtas. In circumstances where someone is seeking reappointment to the commission, it strikes me that it would be especially beneficial for the Oireachtas to have the opportunity to evaluate the performance by members of their functions, as set out in this Bill, before agreeing whether the member would be reappointed for a further term.