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

In view of the furore created around it, in the final analysis would it not have been useful to research all situations surrounding the potential appointment in a way so as to ascertain, for Mr. Watt's benefit, what might be necessary to avoid in the future and to avoid making a potential mistake? I am not saying there was a mistake.

Dr. Holohan played a massive role. He discharged his duties admirably. He did so regardless at what was a trying time for him and his family. He contributed heavily to dealing with the situation that was confronting the nation at that time. In view of all of those issues, we are saying, on the one hand, that we know of some of the competitors but do not know them all. Would it not be better in future to try to ensure we do know all the competitors? The first thing one should ask, in view of the way the appointment was going to be made, that in order to protect Dr. Holohan should it not have been necessary to ask around and find out if there were other potential competitors?