Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Does the Minister accept it is bad practice for him to hold the power to appoint someone to a senior Civil Service position such as assistant secretary and to make such appointments behind closed doors without holding an open competition? What is the view of the trade unions representing senior management in the public service on this approach to doing business? While I accept one could argue that continuity is required during the early years of the new body's operations, will the Minister give a commitment to open up the position to competition following the shortest possible period, perhaps three years? Without such a commitment, the Minister will find himself in serious trouble for retaining control of a position of this nature and refusing to allow it to go to a public competition. Does he accept that, in principle, it is bad practice to do as he proposes?

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