Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The issue remains. There is much concern out there that putting oneself in any way in the public domain or in public service is to put oneself in a position of scrutiny, ridicule and questioning so some people are questioning whether they should go forward for public service appointments. I have a concern with regard to the whole approach suggested by the Deputy as it relates to appointments to boards. There is a fundamental difference of views, which have been outlined on Committee Stage.

It is better to have the power to propose rather than oppose. I listened very carefully to the Deputy's arguments on what the Oireachtas committee would do. His central argument was that it would have the role "as a test of partisanship" and the crucial job of that committee was to ensure the Minister was not being partisan in the appointments.

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