Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

To return to the point Deputy Gilmore has again made, I did not suggest that the Commissioner would be appointed as a representative of the Government. The Commissioner will be a representative of the country. With respect, the suggestion that if the person to emerge were a member of my party or the Government or a supporter of the Government, it would in some way disqualify him or her or make him or her less qualified than some other way of doing it is not fair or just or a proper way to approach the issue.

Deputy Gilmore first suggested that we make an appointment by agreement. His second proposal is that it should be done on the basis of consultation. I have indicated to him that I am open to hear any views he has on the matter. That is a question of consultation. The question of agreement would suggest that the prerogative of Government in some way required the Deputy's agreement and consent. This was not afforded when the Labour Party was in government or by any other Government.

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