Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is publicly known that I was critical of Fáilte Ireland for not using the Public Appointments Service, PAS, to fill its chief executive role and instead wasted €58,000 of taxpayers’ money by using private firms. Why did that happen and is there a departmental policy not to use the PAS? Please do not tell me that it is down to each agency to decide. Surely the Department can issue a policy to the effect that it believes in and supports the PAS and that the PAS will be used for the filling of all major vacancies. First, why did that not happen at Fáilte Ireland? This is not a political point, as I have done the political thing with the Minister, Deputy Ross. Second, would it not be a good policy and show faith in the previous Government’s decision on public appointments?