Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Appointments to boards are made on the basis of the knowledge, expertise and experience that an individual can bring to such boards' work. In many cases, appointment is on the basis of nomination by relevant groups, such as the social partners, and the individuals involved agree to serve out of a sense of public duty rather than any monetary consideration. Appointment of the limited number of people whom I consider friends was also based on that criterion, namely, that they had the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience. More than anything else, they were prepared to give up their valuable time to serve on boards. They are not there because they are friends in the sense that they lack the knowledge, expertise and experience.

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