Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with the Deputy. He makes a very fair point. I am accountable for my own Department. The Public Appointments Service and the Office of Public Works are the only bodies that have engaged such people. The Public Appointments Service needs experienced people with high status to make evaluation decisions. In general terms, there has been a laziness in some quarters - perhaps a predisposition to appoint people who are known and who have been in senior positions in public administration, even though they have been very well provided for.

I will not mention the name of one individual who is well known. She undertakes a significant amount of pro bono work and does not ask for one cent, even for expenses. There are public servants who do this and it is to be commended. By and large, the principle enunciated by the Deputy is an important one. On foot of the Deputy's inquiry I will contact my colleagues to point out that this should not be a general principle.

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