Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last year a special envoy position was created especially for Katherine Zappone. There may well have been merit in the position and she may well have been a suitably qualified candidate - unparalleled, according to some - but the issue was a lack of competition and transparency in the use of taxpayers' money. The Tánaiste stated it was a mistake. This year, a professorship was created for Dr. Tony Holohan. There may well be merit in the professorship and he may well be a suitably or uniquely qualified candidate but there is a similar lack of transparency and openness in the use of taxpayers' money. The only difference I can see between the two situations is that the new position of Dr. Holohan, if he goes ahead with it, will cost the Exchequer 14 times more than the position of Katherine Zappone. At least the Tánaiste's colleague, the Minster for Foreign Affairs, took ownership of the issue of the position for Katherine Zappone. The Minster for Health seems to be a passenger in what is happening in his Department. Is the Tánaiste happy for this appointment to go ahead without an open competition and funded by taxpayers' money?

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