Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The fact of the matter is that we have a programme for Government that commits itself to allowing for the chairpersons designate of State boards and agencies to be brought before committees to give their views on their potential and on how they envisage those bodies or agencies developing. Where casual vacancies occur in any of the State boards, information is to be made available, by public notice, for those with an interest in being considered for appointment. One can take it that, in so far as the Government is concerned, people of competence and ability will be considered for nomination. However, in so far as the chairpersons designate are concerned, there is a commitment in the programme for Government and we are honouring it. It is already in situ.

The measure does not go as far as former Minister Eamon Ryan wanted. He is not present any more but that is not the reason. This is a major advancement on the position that applied for very many years. When my party was last in Government, in the 1990s, the system was different. It is very different now and will be so. Those men and women who are appointed as chairpersons of State agencies and boards will have to have the experience, competence and capacity to measure up to the difficult tasks they will face.

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