Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Anyone can apply for the role. The closing date has passed. I do not know who has applied nor do I want to know. I have full faith in the process that it will be fair and objective. We have some outstanding people serving on the Top Level Appointments Committee. Many of them are private citizens who are doing a valuable job for the State. I have no doubt they will do their business professionally and objectively. As I said in the opening statement provided to the committee, if there are a number of candidates they deem suitably qualified for the post, they can provide up to three names to the Government.

Then it falls ultimately to the relevant line Minister to bring a recommendation to Government. That is the process.