Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Taoiseach is as anxious as everybody else that everything should be absolutely clear in so far as the remit and role of public servants is concerned. In respect of briefings to be prepared for Ministers and Ministers of States on political matters in the run-in to the forthcoming general election, can we take it that public servants will not be asked to provide political material? In other words, if a series of information leaflets is to be produced, for example, will it be provided from the Taoiseach's party resources rather than by public servants? There should be no misunderstanding about this.

I read a report in the newspapers recently that there are up to 400 positions to be appointed on various boards and bodies. Is it the Taoiseach's intention to go ahead with that before the election? I understood there was a type of gentleman's agreement that a raft of appointments would not be made until the people decided what they want to do with their votes in terms of the appointment of the next Government.

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