Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

No. I do not support the Deputy's contention regarding all things being equal. I have never approached an issue relating to a State board on that basis. I do not believe such criteria are necessary or should be used. If the Deputy wishes to check the position, he may discover that I have appointed far more non-party members than anyone on the benches opposite did when in government. I do not regard that as the issue. What is important is whether people are competent, have a level of expertise and are available to serve. It is not a question of what might be their party affiliations. I accept that the latter can be a consideration in some respects. However, the fact that a person supports or is a member of a political party does not disqualify them. We must be careful not to suggest that if someone is a member of a party, this makes him or her incapable of holding office with integrity.

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