Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The debate is on Committee and Remaining Stages. There is no separate Report Stage. There is no spirit of proper engagement on Committee Stage, with the Minister of State listening to what we say and undertaking to come back with proposals on Report Stage. That is not happening and it means there is not a proper scrutiny process. It does not matter if we have a 900-hour debate; the fact is Stages have been skipped.

I have been very clear that all I am looking for is accountability to the Oireachtas. Why remove a provision whereby the Minister must tell the Oireachtas when he proposes to increase the number of board members? That is a fairly basic thing if we believe the Minister has the powers and the Oireachtas holds him or her to account in exercising them. The Minister being required simply to inform the Oireachtas by bringing forward a motion or order requesting that the numbers be increased from 14 to 18, 20 or whatever it might be is a very reasonable requirement. There is likely to be very good reasons the board might want to increase its numbers. Why remove that check and balance?