Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

What changes, if any, have been made since the reformation of the Fianna Fáil Government, with the participation on this occasion of the Green Party, following the general election? Is it the case, as the Taoiseach previously stated publicly, that those selected by him for appointment to boards are his friends? Has there been any move towards the method proposed in March by the Green Party in its Appointments to Public Bodies Bill 2007, which called for an independent and transparent method of appointments to State boards? I have read the programme for Government and cannot find reference therein to any change in the method by which appointments will be made to State boards. Will the Taoiseach say if there has been any change in the method of appointment to State boards and what concession, if any, has been made in respect of the proposals contained in the Green Party's Bill introduced in the House in March of this year?

See this speech in context