John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)

I broadly welcome the proposals the Taoiseach has put forward. In the context of some of the outrageous appointments made by the previous Administration - during the general election campaign and on polling day - and in light of what the Taoiseach said about the competency of people appointed to positions on State boards, does the Government have the power to revoke or cancel such appointments or to re-interview those who were appointed? Most of the appointments to which I refer involved people who support Fianna Fáil and who would probably be opposed to the Government parties. Will the Taoiseach indicate if these appointments can be revoked or cancelled or if those who were appointed - who were selected because they are friends of the Fianna Fáil Party - can be interviewed again to establish the nature of their competency and qualifications?

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