Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not asking Mr. Conlon to make a comment. I am here not to defend the system; I am here on behalf of the people. As the Chair knows, we had the same in this room with Mr. Holohan at the health committee, where, in the Minister's words, "Tony wanted a new challenge". It seems Mr. Conlon's predecessor wanted a new challenge and spent €35,000 of taxpayers' money. You could not make it up. I am not running again. I wonder whether, in order to make me eligible for State boards - they would take me on - there would be any chance the Oireachtas commission might pony up and get me an aul MBS somewhere. There is no chance of that. Honest to God. I hate being hard on the witnesses, and I know they think I am over the top. They need to put themselves in the position of the punters.