Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Does the Taoiseach agree with the comments of his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, that we need to clean up the process by which people are appointed to public office and to end the possibility of putting friends in high places? Does the Government plan to review the process or is this another instance of the Green Party not pursuing what it stated while in opposition?

The handbook states that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste or other party leader in the Government should be informed separately in advance of such proposals, and that the proposals should be tabled in advance. That means there is prior knowledge. In this context, what would be wrong with publishing a short indication of the qualifications of those being appointed? In the United States of America, of which the Taoiseach is an admirer, significant appointments are the subject of public hearings by various committees of the Congress and Senate to ensure the persons appointed have the appropriate knowledge and expertise. If appropriate, questions on political affiliation may be asked. Has the Taoiseach considered reform?

Does the Taoiseach intend to make appointments to boards before his departure on 6 May or has he discussed the issue of appointments to State boards before 7 May when there will be a change of Taoiseach and of members of the Government? A significant appointment that is awaited is that of Comptroller and Auditor General, a position that is provided for in the Constitution. In our system, it is an important appointment. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the House whether the Cabinet has agreed an appointment or whether the Taoiseach has put forward a name, given that the Comptroller and Auditor General has indicated his intention to retire after many years of outstanding service to the State? Has this been agreed and will this appointment be published or decided on by the Government before the Taoiseach leaves office? The nomination is by the Government and must be approved by the Dáil, after which the President makes the appointment. This appointment is probably one of the most important of all in respect of the checks and balances and governance arrangements that operate in this State. While I am sure the 60 or 70 people on the various boards who were listed in the Taoiseach's reply are all good and worthy, the Comptroller and Auditor General has the power to ask very important people what they did with taxpayers' money and to account for it. What is the position in respect of the pending nomination and appointment, under the Constitution, of a new Comptroller and Auditor General?

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