Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On many occasions I have confronted the Taoiseach with regard to the practices he employed — those we knew of then as opposed to those practices we know of now — with regard to appointments to State boards and other such quangos. Will the Taoiseach, in the light of all we now know, agree that the best approach for such appointments in the future is by open public advertisement? The country is awash with talent and good people who share many of the high qualities and motivation about which the Taoiseach has spoken, but they are not known to him and are not his friends. They have every right to be considered for such public service. Is this not the right time to change the flawed practices of the past and open up these appointment opportunities to every citizen and to make the appointments on merit alone?

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