Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am surprised that Deputy O'Brien is taking this position. I have been very happy to make appointments to the range of State companies and agencies under my aegis. The persons occupying those positions are outstandingly suited and I have reappointed a number of people not of my political persuasion. Having had the privilege of dealing with them for three years, I reappointed the chairs of several major companies, including the ESB, Sustainable Energy Ireland and Bord Gáis Éireann, because I saw they had acquired experience and were best suited to continue to oversee the work of those commercial bodies.

I do not accept the Deputy's point about the banking inquiry. The proposed membership comprised a Government majority of 5:4 because that reflects the position in this House. I am damned if I can understand how 5:4 differs from 6:5; the latter is still a Government majority. I do know that this controversy provided an opportunity for an attention-seeking Deputy to duck out when he saw the quantum of work that would have to be done and that it would divert him from his extracurricular duties.

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