Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the amendment, I would like to hear the Minister of State explain the rationale behind this. Why is it being proposed to switch from a full-time position until retirement, effectively, to a five-year term? Senator Ward does not have an issue with reviewing people's position and that is fair enough. The fear is some people at the moment are doing their job well and unless something goes wrong or they are called in for improper behaviour or some such, they would be there until retirement, whereas a five-year term, even with multiple terms, means they will not be in situuntil they retire. Furthermore, if they are not playing ball with the system, the fear is their appointment would not be renewed. They are the concerns and I am just wondering why it is being changed from a permanent position to a fixed-term contract.