Mr. David O'Callaghan:

That was Deputy Connolly's first question. I must inform the Chair that this is tricky ground because the appointment of board members is a matter for the Public Appointments Service and, ultimately, the Minister. I was party to appointments to the board. I advised on criteria to be used in the selection process, I briefed the selection committee on those criteria and I was part of the team that selected people whose names were sent forward to the Minister. There are outstanding appeals to the Minister and the Public Appointments Service in regard to the process. Until those appeals are dealt with in the normal way under the code of practice of the Public Appointments Service I can go no further on the issue.