Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The only problem is that there have been instances in the past where major expenditure was involved and the chair was appointed by the Government and Department. Was there a precedent which identified it as being difficult to apply in this case? In other cases, where vastly greater amounts of money were spent on inquiries, the appointment was made by the Minister and, ultimately, by the Government. It was in the gift of the Minister. Why are we now looking at a departure whereby the Minister is no longer able to do this and it has to be done by way of advertising for a suitable person? Presumably, the Minister will pick somebody from a number of people. This goes back to the beginning of the conversation. Who will be deemed to be the right person, since the appointment the Minister would make in the first place in the ordinary course of events would not be acceptable?