Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

That is the reason for the amendments, namely, poachers turn into gamekeepers and vice versa. In my time as a Deputy, there have been countless instances of changes or appointments where it would have been useful to include some reference to the Dáil or to allow the Dáil the discretion to opt in or opt out of the approval process.

I accept the Minister's statement on board appointments. I do not expect the Houses to always decide the composition of the board because the Minister needs a board to carry out the agency's day-to-day work, but what is to stop people from elevating themselves to positions where they would experience conflicts of interest, for example, of which the Minister might not know? There have been countless instances of Ministers needing to inquire in the House about someone's bona fides and being answered by one of his or her colleagues.

The thrust of our amendments is to recognise the Oireachtas for what it is, namely, the Houses of Parliament to which Ministers are accountable. While the Ministers for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Finance may approve matters, as is the case in respect of most of these amendments, they also represent the Government and their activities can only be examined by the Committee of Public Accounts after the event.

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