Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

These amendments seek to address two sets of concern. One related to membership of the commission, a set of measures to ensure there would be a diversity in the membership which represented the diversity in society. The other concerns were that there would be appropriate skills and an appropriate balance of those skills among those constituting the commission. We highlighted a third issue of gender equality. I have not pressed forward because I recognise that it is quite a small commission so ensuring representation of the full diversity of society would be a difficult bar. Nonetheless, we have put forward an amendment which is less restrictive than our previous amendments which were a requirement that there be a gender equality measure. It was pointed out that a situation could be created where, for example, there is a temporary gap in the commission or if a recruitment process was under way; that could create issues. Instead we have used more mild language. No. 42 states "Where recommending to the Minister persons for appointment as members of the Commission, the Service shall endeavour to ensure that among the membership of the Commission there is an equitable balance between men and women." No. 42 would make it an endeavour rather than a requirement threshold. That reflects the discussions we had.

No. 43 reflects something I have already highlighted. In the amendments I have put forward throughout the Bill I have tried to underscore and place reminders of the public duty in terms of equality and human rights and the UNCRPD.

No. 41 is quite important. It seeks to ensure that in performing their functions "the Public Appointments Service and the Minister shall seek to ensure that the Commission has an appropriate balance of knowledge of, and expertise in..." specified areas, namely, arts and culture; data protection and digital empowerment; online safety and digital regulation; and human rights and public participation.

As the legislation goes to the Dáil in the autumn, I am conscious that the set of skills I have put forward may not be the best match. However, I want to underscore that point because I know the Bill will undergo further scrutiny and development in the Dáil and it is really important that the right skills and right balance of skills is there in the commission and we do not end up with a narrower set of skills or persons who do not have the specialist information. This was recognised in the climate Act. The previous climate change advisory council had had a preponderance of economists and it was recognised that there should be a balance of skills so there ought to be scientists and others represented as well.

I am conscious that the Minister probably will not be able to accept my set of suggested skills but I urge her and her officials to consider what they think would be the appropriate set of skills and make sure that they are copper-fastened into the recruitment process.