Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Fine Gael recently published its public appointments transparency Bill. The Taoiseach's predecessor was of the mind to have some involvement from the Oireachtas in the appointment of chairpersons to important State bodies and agencies. It would not have been so much an interrogation role but an interactive one, inquiring as to the qualities, experience and difference appointees would make to particular boards. He said it might be useful to give some thought to involving committees of the House in the appointments to some boards. Does the Taoiseach share that view?

Any appointment will obviously come under scrutiny. Regardless of whoever is in government, any appointee will be labelled, whether it be true or not, as a hack or a crony. The same applied when the Fine Gael Party was in government. To deal with public cynicism about appointments to State bodies, there is merit in having some involvement from Oireachtas committees. Does the Taoiseach consider the principle of the public appointments transparency Bill as important? Does he believe it might be appropriate to have appointees explain to an Oireachtas committee their credentials and why they wish to take up the offer?

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