Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I draw the Taoiseach's attention to part of the code of conduct for officeholders that deals with appointments. The Taoiseach will be familiar with paragraph 2.2.7, which reads as follows:

Subject to provisions in legislation or other formal requirements for the establishment of Government bodies or the filling of positions, appointments by members of the Government should be made on the basis of merit, taking into account the skills, qualifications and experience of the person to be appointed, as well as any other relevant criteria, including, for example, requirements in relation to gender balance.

In a recent very famous broadcast, the Taoiseach said that he made appointments to State boards on the basis that the nominees were friends. Does the appointment of persons to State boards on the basis of their being friends accord with the code of conduct with which officeholders are expected to comply? Perhaps the Taoiseach will comment on that.

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