Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)

Seven out of eight nominees got through yesterday; only one was rejected. Whatever way one looks at it, this result is a humiliation not only for the candidate but also for the Government and the country. My question will give the Tánaiste an opportunity to respond to the comments made by the Taoiseach in the House yesterday. In the Tánaiste's absence, the Taoiseach commented on what had happened on the night of the bank guarantee, as he is wont to do when engaged in parliamentary battle with Fianna Fáil Members. It was a fair point and the Tánaiste himself took an honourable position of opposition to the guarantee. How could the Government nominate the sole survivor of the events of that shameful night? The bankers, the politicians and the other advisers involved have gone. The one person who survived and was part of the cabal in Merrion Street was nominated for promotion. I do not understand why this happened.

I can only suggest what has happened is a humiliation for the Taoiseach, although not as much for the Tánaiste. The Taoiseach is reported to have contacted his colleagues in the European People's Party to ask them to vote for the candidate in question. In response they were unanimous in giving two fingers to the Taoiseach. It is a humiliation for Ireland and begs the question of whether the genuflection in which the Taoiseach has been indulging has been wasted on the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the French President, Nicholas Sarkozy. Mrs. Merkel is allied to the EPP.

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