Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We would need a dentist to extract the information. Nevertheless, I welcome this section of the new programme for Government in which the Taoiseach's party and the Green Party have given a commitment under the heading "Enhancing our Democracy and Public Services". Does the Taoiseach acknowledge that the essence of what is committed to in terms of legislation is something for which my colleagues in Sinn Féin and I have argued in the House for many years, namely, opening up to the wider public the opportunity for appointment to various State boards, sending invitations to apply and setting in place a panel of suitable persons for consideration for appointment?

The programme states that the legislation will also specify the number of persons who will be appointed by a Minister and will facilitate the appropriate Oireachtas committee in each case to make nominations to the panel for interview and selection. Is it the case, based on the Taoiseach's responses to Deputy Gilmore, that he does not have at this point in time the detail as to the numbers that may apply in each instance to a Minister's appointment or the Oireachtas committee's role and function? Has any of the meat been worked out in terms of the bones of the proposition under this heading? During questions to An Taoiseach and in amendments to numerous Bills, we have argued for a transparent appointment process.

I ask that the Taoiseach give the House some indication of when the legislation will be worked on and presented before the House. Will it be in place before he next exercises his role in appointing people to various State boards under his Department's aegis? Are there vacancies in the State boards for which the Taoiseach is responsible and what are they?

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