Special Committee Pigs and Bacon Bill, 1934 díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Apr 1935

SECTION 129.

(2) The Minister shall as soon as may be necessary after the commencement of this Part of this Act and thereafter as occasion requires appoint a person to be the secretary of the Board.

(3) The secretary of the Board shall hold office during the pleasure of the Minister and shall be paid by the Board such remuneration and such allowances for expenses as the Minister may from time to time appoint.

Deputy Belton

I move amendment No. 127:—

In sub-section (2), line 25, to delete the word " Minister " and substitute the word " Board," and after the word " person " in line 27 to insert the words " with the approval of the Minister."

As the Board is constituted now, I have a very open mind on this question. The matter will rest ultimately with the Minister. If the pig producers wanted a man well versed in pig production and matters of that kind, the bacon curers would probably want a man who had a knowledge of the bacon-curing side of the business and there would be a division of opinion. The Chairman, who would be very closely allied with the Minister, would decide. If the Committee is unanimous. I shall let the amendment go before it but, if not, I shall not press it.

Deputy Dillon

The Minister accepted the principle of Deputy Belton's amendment in the case of the Bacon Marketing Board.

Minister for Agriculture

This is a different case.

Deputy Belton

If the Minister has any serious objection, I shall not press the amendment.

Deputy Dillon

What is the difference that the Minister mentioned ?

Minister for Agriculture

The Bacon Marketing Board is composed entirely of bacon curers, and I agreed that they had a case for appointing their own secretary. Here you have three large interests represented—a Chairman, appointed by the Minister, and representatives of the curers and of the producers.

Deputy Belton

Leaving personal affection for some candidate out of the question altogether, there will be the attainments that candidates may have. A pig producer would like to have a secretary who would have a considerable knowledge of pig production, while the bacon curers would probably prefer a man with bacon-curing knowledge.

Deputy Dillon

The best course would be to refer the appointment to the Appointments Commissioners.

Minister for Agriculture

Possibly.

Deputy Belton

I do not think there will be any risk in giving the Board the appointment, as the other Board has got it. If the interests conflict, as they may, the Chairman may decide. In each case the sanction of the Minister would be required.

Minister for Agriculture

This is a key position, where an effort must be made to get the best possible man. If there were a rank outsider, they might compromise on a very unsuitable person.

Deputy Dillon

Would the Minister agree to leave the matter to the Appointments Commissioners ?

Minister for Agriculture

Not at this stage. I should be prepared to consider the matter for Report Stage.

Deputy Belton

May I put down an amendment for Report Stage ?

Minister for Agriculture

Of course.

Deputy Belton

With the permission of the Committee, I shall withdraw the amendment and consider what I shall do in the meantime.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment 129 not moved.

Section 129 agreed to.