Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider removing Secretaries General from the top level appointments committee. [11217/12]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware of the extensive changes which I introduced last July in relation to the composition of the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC). There is now a majority of external members on the Committee, as well as an external Chairperson.

These changes are in line with our commitment under the Programme for Government. The appointees have been selected not only for their expertise in management and HR, but also for the new perspective they bring from outside the public service.

In this respect, it is my view that it is best practice to have Secretaries General in the civil service involved in the selection process for senior positions in the civil service.