John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Let us comment on that claim. It is probably true that, had Fianna Fáil in its old construction been in power, Mr. Meaney would not have been appointed, but that is a reflection more on Fianna Fáil than on anyone else. What it did in appointments left much to be desired. Let me be clear on that point. During its long period in government it set in train the practice of awarding or rewarding its own, which is not the way to construct a board or appoint someone to a position such the one Mr. Meaney occupies.

I also say with some regret that, despite the announcement made by the Government that it would depart from this practice, it has not done so to any great extent. The day people are appointed because of their willingness to serve and commit to a board on the basis of their abilities must be reached soon. That is the ideal. Civil servants in Departments observing the dynamic or tension there should be between Ministers and the Civil Service should have this as their value. We should be reaching beyond the political system and the norm in appointing people. Unfortunately, we have not distanced ourselves from the culture of appointing insiders. We need only consider some of the committees in the Houses and who is advising them to know that, generally, it is the usual suspects.

I will say something about Mr. Meaney's case, not because he is from Carlow-Kilkenny but because I knew him as a businessman previously. He has a track record, not only in terms of his membership of Fine Gael but of running a successful business. He is an individual with integrity. I have no doubt that he is attempting to make a contribution to the organisation in question that is in the best interests of transparency, accountability and so on, which is welcome. The only thing that would have held me back from appointing him was the fact that he was from Carlow-Kilkenny and I might have been accused of supporting one of my own. I might have been willing to appoint him because of his credentials. Deputy Shane Ross's point is about an individual's credentials. Unfortunately, that process for selecting various State appointees was not in place when Mr. Meaney was appointed, although it is now. That is regrettable, as Mr. Meaney displayed in his correspondence to the committee in question that he would have liked to have appeared before it for no other reason than to explain his qualifications. This committee spent four and a half hours one day discussing the issues of office accommodation and toilet rolls. I was happy to appear before it at that meeting and account for myself. It might be no harm if other Chairmen or Ministers did likewise. Deputy Shane Ross gave his opinion and I am giving mine. I respect the job being done. As he stated, this is not personal.

I wish to ask a number of questions about IGB. Its revenue decreased from €63 million in 2006 to €28 million in 2013. What are the figures for 2014 and 2015? Has the decline been halted?