Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Burton is correct to state it is an extremely important position, which is the reason it is set down in legislation and practice. I do not believe the appointment will be made for some time to come. While there is a process, I cannot recall exactly what it is. Ultimately, when the process takes place, the Minister for Finance will recommend the individual to the Government, followed by Government approval and appointment by the President. The process in respect of a replacement for Mr. Purcell has started and will take some time. As far as I am aware, he will not resign until July and this process will be under way. As for any other posts, the Government fills them as they arise. However, there are no particular posts of which I am aware that will arise in the period remaining to me.

The Deputy is correct to state that I am a supporter of many features of the American system. However, the United States has a population of 260 million people while Ireland has a population of 4 million people. Every position comes up for appointment there, including heads of departments, heads of committees and so on. This constitutes a completely different system to ours, in which public servants hold all such positions. Their ambassadors come up before committees and thankfully we do not operate such a system. While I like many aspects of the American system, no work would ever be done around here, were we to start doing this and I do not advocate this system for the Oireachtas. However, as I stated earlier, some of my colleagues have pilot schemes that involve committees looking at some of these issues and possibly the participation of some of the committee people in them. However, these are issues for another day and the Ministers will bring this forward.

I repeat what I have said many times before, namely, it is difficult enough in our system. In fairness to my new colleagues in the Green Party they have, in their appointments, been leaning strongly towards some whose political allegiances are to the Deputy's party. While I readily admit this is because they are good people, it demonstrates that political appointments are not made on a political basis. Throughout the system at present, people of all political persuasions, as well as those who do not declare them, serve in positions on State boards because they are good and competent. While obviously one finds people who are politically aligned in the system, they still are very good people and I believe the system works well.

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