Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The issue now is that we have changed that system. For the first time in our history, we have put in a new transparent system to get away from the Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil nominations that have scattered the landscape for years. We have a new system at the heart of which we have set out objective suitability criteria. Individuals apply and are individually vetted and assessed by the Public Appointments Service. They are then submitted if they are appropriate. Only an appropriate person can be submitted to a Minister for appointment and that is the way it should be. I know that it will be transformative from now on.

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