Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

It is not an internal appointment. It requires to be brought before the House, which must approve a name and the appointment is made by the President. It is a very important position. We have seen the work of the Committee of Public Accounts over the years and the reports on the waste of public expenditure. This is an important and sensitive position. I understand the Tánaiste to be saying there is now some type of selection process under way to identify a new Comptroller and Auditor General. This is the first we have heard of it, there has been no public advertising of the post and it has been asked about here on a number of occasions. In fact, when Deputy Burton asked about it on Tuesday, the Taoiseach seemed to think that this was an appointment which was in the gift of the Government and that it would not arise until July. Now we are being told that some type of selection process is under way, and I should like to hear more about that. This is an important constitutional position.

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