Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this timely debate. The introduction of this Bill by Deputy Varadkar highlights the necessity to ensure that whatever public moneys are being spent are spent correctly. Over the years I have had much interaction with State bodies and other statutory agencies, as well as voluntary boards. In the majority of those cases, the people involved, from the chairman right through the members of the board, have been excellent and contribute greatly to the sphere of work in which they are involved. I notice this in particular with statutory boards such as the community policing forums around this city and other agencies.

I have a problem with Deputy Varadkar's Bill in that we should not throw out the baby with the bath water. There are some relevant and specific points within the Bill but we must ensure not to lose much of the experience and expertise that has been built up in this country in recent years. When placing people in positions of responsibility, particularly where public money is concerned, there is a need for experience and people who know what they are doing. Such appointees must be able to work with others, although that has not always been the case. In the majority of cases, people - particularly those giving their time voluntarily - have much expertise to contribute, and we should not make the mistake of ignoring it.

In the present climate and in recent months our focus has been particularly pointed towards some State agencies which have floundered for whatever reason at board, staff or management level. Incidents over the past months and years have caused concern for everybody in this House. No more than members of the Opposition, Members on this side of the House are every day of the week dealing with individuals, families and groups which interact with such agencies on a daily basis. It is as much in our interest as anybody else's to ensure those agencies deal specifically with the tasks given to them in an efficient and open manner.

We have had much discussion in recent weeks and months on the Dublin Docklands Authority, for example. I have personally experienced the significant work done by that body in my constituency and it has been successful in turning what was a derelict part of Dublin into a thriving community, business and otherwise. We should learn from mistakes which have been made rather than making a blanket contribution, and use expertise built up over years.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has thought outside the box and considered alternatives. He has openly advertised senior posts to people who may have an interest and got the best person for the job in that way. We should consider such an approach, a prime example of which was used with the Dublin Transport Authority and the appointment of Mr. Gerry Murphy. He was with the Grangegorman Development Agency and is a man of great experience and a very shrewd operator. He will be of significant benefit to the city. We must be careful in how we approach our business but we should proceed in a proper fashion, ensuring all agencies act correctly in future.

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