Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Will the Taoiseach set in train a system whereby the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board should check with the Garda as regards appointments such as this? If a caretaker is being appointed to a school, a character reference is sought from the Garda. I had a distraught parent on the telephone last night who was unable to adopt a child because of a minor indiscretion with regard to a driving licence, I understand. As I understand the mechanics of the final approval for such an appointment, the current Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who was then Attorney General was a member of the judicial appointments board, and the then Minister for Justice, Deputy O'Donoghue, and the Taoiseach would have had a final consultation about names under consideration. Does the Taoiseach recollect whether Deputy O'Donoghue, from that part of the country, made any comment about the suitability of the person being proposed for appointment? In his replies to me on 25 May this year, the Taoiseach said he would try to check whether the then Attorney General had any information to that effect. He appeared certain that he had not. Will he confirm what the position is now?

I will repeat that there is strong public concern over the necessity to have absolute clarity about appointments of such sensitivity and importance. It is necessary that the systems in place to supervise such appointments are seen to be absolutely above board and in the people's interest.

See this speech in context