Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with everything the Minister has said and he will acknowledge that I said the people appointed might be well qualified. I just want this process to be opened up to others who are equally well qualified. I am clear-cut in saying people who have shown an interest in public affairs, whether it be through the democratic process, are regularly very suitable to be appointed to State boards because they have expertise. However, I am concerned about the undue preponderance of people in that category. I have always believed there should be a democratic balance and that people with an interest in the democratic process on all State boards. While I am not saying such persons should not be appointed, we need to see more from the broader citizenship category.

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