Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I am referring to ministerial appointees, which is a legal term for cronies. That is exactly what they will be. One thing that has shocked me is the behaviour of the Green Party. Since the last local elections the Green Party has appointed at least seven failed election candidates to State boards. It has even set up a whole new Green quango, the Foras Orgánach, to facilitate its members. I published a Private Members' Bill, the Public Appointments Transparency Bill 2008, which was voted down in the House. At least Fianna Fáil was honest about it; its members voted it down because they did not think it was necessary. However, the Green Party went the other way, saying it did not go far enough. It secured a commitment in the programme for Government - which is not in the legislative schedule, incidentally - that the Government would introduce legislation to change the way public appointments are made. Since then it has engaged in the most appalling acts of cronyism, which would bring shame to the sleaziest member of Fianna Fáil.

The way in which the Green Party members have behaved is sickening and appalling. They are doing their best to pack committees and boards with failed Green Party election candidates. It was Deputy Gilmore who described the Green Party as being like hitchhikers in the Fianna Fáil car - ready to be thrown out at the next crossroads. However, the relationship is different. Fianna Fáil is the driving instructor and the Green Party members are the learner drivers, and it has taught them well. The cronyism in which they are engaging is disgusting. The Green Party will stay in Government for as long as possible so it can pack every board with its members. It will put all of its 200 members on various State agency boards or committees and then it will bring in the legislation it has promised for some time. I have no doubt the advisory committee we are discussing will include a Green Party associate or perhaps a failed candidate from that party. That is why I do not believe it should be constituted in that way. I do not see why we would pass legislation to change the way one board is set up and then go back to the old model.

I would also like some clarity on the expenses and allowances that are referred to in the Bill. Traditionally, members of an advisory committee receive expenses to defray the costs associated with being part of the advisory committee; they do not receive unvouched allowances, which are a form of payment. I would be interested to know whether it is the intention of the Minister to give money to these people as well as covering their expenses.

Section 34 prevents Oireachtas Members, MEPs and members of local authorities from being appointed to the advisory committee, a provision which occurs in a number of Acts. This might be a problem for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who likes to break this provision. The Minister of State may recall that the Deputy Gormley tried to break the law by appointing two sitting Green Party councillors to the Private Residential Tenancies Board. However, they have since lost their seats, so, like every other failed Green Party candidate, they will be appointed to something if they have not been already. In fact, I am sure they have already been appointed to something.

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