Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will answer Mr. Meaney's question. I am saying it is a political appointment. I am saying that the fact Mr. Meaney is such a prominent member of Fine Gael was a material factor in it. I am saying that Mr. Meaney has not gone through the normal vetting process that everybody else has to go through and that it is an unacceptable procedure. I am not saying Mr. Meaney is incompetent, I am just saying the procedures are utterly incompetent and wrong and that he is a political appointee and a member of the political party in power. That is what happens regularly. Mr. Meaney is just one of many but he is one and he is in a very strong position as a result. It is a pity that happened. That is what I am saying.