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

I have no objection to the gentleman and I will have no issue with the appointment. However, the impression the Minister gave is that all these posts are publicly advertised and when I pressed him on a particular post, he replied it was an exception under legislation. The public hear the good news but when the issue is teased out, that transpires not to be the case when one delves into particular appointments.

I refer again to the most recent appointments, which were to the board of Irish Water. I never saw advertisements for this. That was a closed shop. Many of those on the board are Bord Gais employees or connected to political parties. The Minister will say this does not relate to his Department but we all agree on the principle of public sector reform and reform of the political system. Perhaps he will reinforce what he believes in discussions with his ministerial colleagues.

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