Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not regard this as an inordinate delay. There has been a pretty hefty programme of legislation and events in recent weeks. The recent period has provided an opportunity to reflect, in the general interest of everybody, on the range of qualities of the people to be appointed. It is clear that the two positions in the Department of the Taoiseach are important. The people to be appointed and approved by the Government will be required to have a thorough working knowledge of the mechanics of how the Government and the public service operate. They will also have to exhibit enthusiasm and exuberance for the jobs in which they have expressed an interest and for which they are being considered. The two positions in question - the Secretaries General in the Department of the Taoiseach - require a measure of experience and understanding of how the system works.

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