Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Even Deputy Ross accepts that the guidelines on appointments to State boards were fully complied with. Very few people quibble with David Begg's suitability for the role because he is eminently qualified. Unsurprisingly, Deputy Ross does not see it this way. I say unsurprisingly because Deputy Ross does not like trade unions and he does not have much time for David Begg. Even if we accept that, however, I still find it extraordinary that Deputy Ross and his supporters - some of whom apparently like to think they are left-wing - would use the procedures of this House to pursue what seems to be nothing more than a personal vendetta against a man who has given decades of service to Irish workers.

We can recall who Shane Ross championed for senior roles in Irish life. He was the boomer for the bankers during the boom, week after week. He championed Seán Fitzpatrick, in particular, but to be fair to Deputy Ross, he was not alone in singing the praises of Anglo Irish Bank. In 2006, Fianna Fáil appointed another Anglo Irish Bank banker, Tiernan O'Mahoney, as chair of the Pensions Board but at least Deputy Ross is consistent, he was wrong then and he is wrong now.

I selected David Begg because I believe he is the best person for the job. He has years of experience in working for employees' and workers' rights, including the right to an adequate pension that provides security of income in retirement. David Begg served in the Communication Workers' Union and later in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He has also had experience as an employer, as the CEO of a major international NGO, Concern Worldwide. He sat for many years on numerous boards and, in all of these roles, he developed expertise on a range of issues, including pensions.

As Minister for Social Protection, I was very grateful for David's help in resolving the pensions issue at Waterford Glass.

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