Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I wish to share time with Deputy Sargent.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important Bill, which outlines a new procedure for appointments to public bodies. Its introduction in advance of the general election is timely because the public will now be able to see where the various political parties stand on this issue. While I heard a Minister express his opposition to the Bill and will have to await his arguments, it will be a matter for the next Government to implement it if it passes.

The Bill gives us an opportunity to restore public confidence in the workings of our democracy and faith in our institutions. We would let the Irish people see that the system belongs to them rather than being the preserve of any political party or the gift of Ministers. Appointments to public bodies should be transparent, fully accountable and public in the sense that they should be open to all members of the public. That may be the case in theory but we are all aware it is not the practice. There should be public ownership of the process through the appointment of a public bodies unit which would establish, monitor, approve and carry out appointment procedures.

The widely held perception is that appointments to public bodies are rewards for faithful service to the party, a little thank you for services rendered or a recognition of party allegiance or financial contributions. That has not always been the case and, as has been noted by many other Deputies, there are many excellent appointees to public bodies. Being a supporter of any political party should not disqualify a person from appointment to a public body. However, it is also the case that appointments are often a reward for those who have supported a party in one way or another. Is it any wonder the public is cynical? With this Bill, we have an opportunity to change things for the better and to practise a new kind of political approach, whereby members of public bodies are appointed by merit on the basis of appropriate skills and backgrounds. This Bill would ensure transparency in that process.

Tomorrow, the Taoiseach will publish a report on active citizenship, one of his favourite topics. Tonight is a perfect opportunity for the Taoiseach and the Government to endorse active citizenship in action. Theory could be put into practice by demonstrating that active citizenship allows ordinary people to play a meaningful role in shaping a better society. Those who do not support this Bill pay lip-service to active citizenship. They tell people what they think they want to hear, using all the right words about inclusion, citizenship, community and social capital and making soothing noises about participation and consultation, but when it comes to the crunch, they keep all the power and decision-making processes to themselves and, in many cases, hand out positions on public bodies to their friends, supporters and those who can be relied on to toe the line.

An example of this was the privatisation of Aer Lingus. Where were the board members to defend the public interest in that case? The Aer Lingus board basically acted on the wishes of the Government. Where were the people who took the national perspective? Aer Lingus is now in private hands, sold so cheaply that it is ripe for take-over. Will the State, the Irish people or the shareholders benefit from that? The shareholders or those who have the money to invest will reap the rewards. The Irish people no longer have control over air access to this island nation and the residents of Shannon and the west of Ireland will probably pay the price for the open skies regime. The shareholders of Aer Lingus, many of whom are not Irish, will call the tune. This came about because the public interest was not being served.

There will be many positive outcomes from public scrutiny and control over appointments to public bodies. One such outcome should be better gender balance. Several Deputies referred to jobs for the boys. The establishment of a public bodies unit would also ensure jobs for the girls. If those boys and girls come from the wider public and not only the select few who enjoy the favour of political parties, that would be the most positive outcome.

See this speech in context