Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

Will that the Taoiseach answer the question about moving against the semi-State boards, as pledged by Deputy Bruton? Will the Taoiseach end the system of political appointments to State bodies that has been so abused, not just by Fianna Fáil but by Fine Gael and the Labour Party in the past? There is no indication that the Government will end that abuse in the future. Many of us on the Independent benches see this as Tweedledum and Tweedledee, whereby when the Fianna Fáil guys go out, the Fine Gael and Labour Party guys come in. Can the Taoiseach give an assurance that will end by setting up a new system with an independent commission that is verified and passed by the Oireachtas, as promised by Deputy Bruton?

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