Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It depends. I would not make a general rule about but it is important we acknowledge that boards act independently and have certain fiduciary book duties. Too often I find this issue comes to the House or to a committee and, unfortunately, can become very politicised. I do not know the reason for this. We should be in the business of encouraging people to make themselves available for service. Sometimes I get the impression that unless people have a prior approval rating they are regarded by many as unacceptable. Former leaders of Deputy Kenny's party and the Labour Party have been appointed by this Government to important positions and they may hold different views on some of the issues raised.

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