Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The name of the person selected for the role should come before the Dáil. At least there would be discussion and debate on it. I will table an amendment on the recommendations on Report Stage. The Minister's faith in the Public Appointments Service process is touching but there has been a lot of controversy, even recently, over people who come to high positions in many institutions and the Dáil is powerless to do anything about it. The Minister cited the example of climate change. It is a good example. With the history in our country of planning corruption, which is incontestable, and the relationships between certain parties or individuals, one can see how, if the Minister has sole discretion over the approval of somebody, it could potentially be corrupt. It is something that should be amended on Report Stage.