Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The Taoiseach should elaborate a little in respect of the Comptroller and Auditor General because this constitutes a good example of a very important appointment. Is this appointment, which carries highly significant remuneration, subject to advertising? Is canvassing under way or are headhunters seeking candidates to put their names forward for the job? It is an important appointment and constitutes one of the top ten offices in this country. However, what happens is shrouded in mystery. We do not even know if an appointment process is followed. I do not see what is wrong with a person who is nominated to a board indicating his or her experience and qualifications for the position. I cannot see why that information should not be made available at a minimum.

The Taoiseach's party has been in Government for 11 years and Ministers will inevitably know their party's members and supporters. However, if we are to encourage the best people to go forward, being a member of a political party should be neither a guarantee of appointment to a board nor a barrier to serving in a public capacity. There should be transparency in respect of qualifications and it should be indicated whether nominees are supporters or members of particular political parties. If this information was openly available, perhaps more people would be willing to put their names forward for political appointments.

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