Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be straight with the Deputy. This is a partnership Government. It is very different to having a majority Government, because one is not in a position to do as one might like. I did say that if he gave me a couple of nominations from particular sectors I would consider them. Can anybody object to the founder of Pieta House being able to give of that experience? Can anybody object to the chief executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland or a business person adding to the range of what is in the Seanad? This is the reason. These are important facets of understanding that we are in a very different political position to where we were before, and attitudinal change is very important. I like to think the appointments made will work in the broader interests of many issues. We will debate mental health this evening, which is of such importance. So many people are behind closed doors where the public might never know about it with tragic consequences in some cases.

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