Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The point was made about two local authority members serving on a State board. Should the fact that these individuals are councillors be held against them? I do not understand that mentality, particularly when one considers that the people in question are members of our profession. Every case should be taken on its merits. If a person has anything for which to answer, he or she should do so.

We all expect high standards but let us not subscribe to the culture where if a person is member of this profession, at local or any other level, he or she should be disqualified from serving on a board. I contend that amendments were tabled by Deputy Charles Flanagan's party, in this and the Upper House, which suggested that this proposal should not be adopted as a principle in respect of appointments to State boards. Let us be consistent in what we are trying to achieve.

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