Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendments Nos. 61 to 64, inclusive, seek to call out explicitly in the Bill the role of the Public Appointments Service in recommending the appeal panel members for appointment, to specifically call out some of the experience and expertise required, such as human rights and equality training, for appointment to the appeals panel, to have the chairperson of the appeals panel recommended by the Public Appointments Service and to exclude local authority or departmental employees from the appeals panel. I confirm that engagement has already begun with the PAS on the recruitment process for the ten appeal panel members. It is important that the appeal panel is in place when, or at least shortly after, the enhanced scheme commences in order that it is available to scheme applicants. I am satisfied that the appeals panel provisions within the Bill will ensure that the appeals panel will be fully independent. I do not consider the amendments to be necessary.