Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

First, I fully share the views expressed by Deputy Fleming regarding transparency. Even if such expenditure is for a particular purpose, it must be in compliance with the National Lottery Act. I must examine this issue and am anxious that there will be full transparency with regard to all public moneys. I would be interested in studying the replies to the parliamentary questions and if the Deputy gets a chance, he should forward them to me. I will examine them because were a Deputy to table a parliamentary question to any line Minister, I would expect him or her to receive a clear view of how the money is being spent if national lottery money is involved.

I will look at that.

With regard to the appointment of directors generally, the Government plans to bring transparency to all public sector appointments. I am currently formulating proposals which are at an advanced stage. Unfortunately, I cannot share them with the Deputy until such time as they are brought to the Government. The programme for Government contains a commitment to have a fully open and participative system for appointing directors so members of the public who believe they have a role to play on any particular State board will be able to offer themselves and their credentials can be independently validated before a Minister makes the decision.

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