Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Is the Taoiseach aware that the scale of appointments between the general election and 9 March was only a fraction of what occurred in 1997? At that time, some Ministers, including Deputy Noonan, made appointments to positions which were not vacant and the Taoiseach himself appointed a trustee of Fine Gael to a State board on his way out of office. Therefore, the Taoiseach must agree that this is another case of the new Government trying to climb on a moral high horse, despite its members having personally engaged in practices they now condemn.

With regard to the alleged new regime due to come on stream, in terms of interviewing applicants etc., I understand that the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coveney, appointed a Mr. Meaney to the chair of Bord na gCon yesterday. Will the Taoiseach clarify whether that person was subject to an interview by any committee?

See this speech in context