Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

In a debate like this, it is important to acknowledge work that has been done. Reference has been made to this Bill which, unfortunately, I cannot support for a number of reasons. However, it has generated debate, which is positive. It has kept Members in the House on a night when I would be happy to be in Croke Park, cheering on Richard Dunne from Tallaght and the Irish team. However, I will conduct my business and then watch the match on television.

As for the business before the House, Members should understand that the Private Members' Bill that has been tabled by their Green Party colleague proposes the creation of new procedures for the chair and boards of public bodies and for special appointments to international organisations that are at the discretion of the Government at present. Clearly, this is the reason Government Members do not support the Bill.

I speak as someone who did not serve on major State boards. However, over time, I was appointed to a number of different bodies. As Minister of Health after the 1987 general election, the current Ceann Comhairle appointed me to the board of St. James's Hospital and subsequently to the Tallaght Hospital board. I was also appointed by other Ministers, not all of whom were members of Fianna Fáil, including the former Minister, Deputy Howlin, who kindly appointed me to a hospital board. In addition, I was appointed to the health promotion unit of the Department of Health and Children, as well as to Gaisce, the President's awards. The relevant point in respect of the Bill and people's comments on it is that I always considered such appointments to be from the Minister of the day, including a Labour Party Minister, who examined the skills that people possessed. I never pretended to be anything other than what I was. However, I would not have been appointed to those bodies at that time were it not for my community background. I do not make this point in a virtuous way. It gave me an insight into the manner in which such boards were set up and how Governments work in that regard.

I was also appointed in 1996 by the then Taoiseach, Mr. John Bruton, to the Government's Devolution Commission. At the time I was a lone Fianna Fáil representative on that body. When considering a Bill like this, one has time to reflect on such appointments, which involved all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds with all sorts of skills.

Deputy Curran made the relevant point on the importance of the Minister of the day retaining, in so far as possible, discretion to pick people for different boards. There will always be views expressed when people are not in Government, some of which change on entering office, as to what kind of people should be appointed and what those appointments should be. I take the view that all Governments will experience occasions when people disagree about particular appointments. As far as many boards are concerned efforts are made to get people with particular skills and interests.

In my case, my community background, interest in health and education and pursuit of educational awards brought me to a situation where I was appointed to various boards. Later, I received a letter from a famous Fianna Fáil Minister whom I shall not identify. She wrote and told me she appreciated the service I gave to the board and was now going to give somebody else an opportunity to use their skills on behalf of the State.

It is fair to state the practices and procedures adopted by the Government follow those adopted by previous Governments. Through these procedures a strong public sector has evolved which delivers effectively a range of public services. The House must be mindful of the enormous contribution made by many people. I hope it will refrain from putting in place procedures that would serve to deter rather than attract people to positions in public bodies. I am happy to have had an opportunity to make a short contribution on the Bill. I wish Deputy Boyle well but look forward to supporting the Government at 8.30 p.m.

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