Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

This is what I am addressing. Make no mistake, in the publication today by the Chief Whip of the so-called legislative work programme, or what is to cover for it over the remaining weeks of this Dáil, this commitment to ensure that there is a more transparent, more appropriate and legislatively underpinned process for appointment to State boards does not appear. It has gone clearly off the agenda in terms of this Government. Would the Taoiseach agree, having had that as a commitment in the programme for Government and in the closing weeks when he is not even going to address it at all, that truly, as was already put to him here this afternoon, he should suspend making any more appointments because the process is flawed and open to further discrediting of the political process itself in its wider understanding among the broader electorate? The appropriate course of action at this point in time is to put a hold on any further appointments until such time as the commitment he had in the programme for Government, which I supported, welcome and want to see implemented, is introduced by a new Government.

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