Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach the names and occupations of persons appointed to the State boards or agencies under the aegis of his Department since 1 April 2008; the date of appointment in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20810/08]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the persons appointed to State boards or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department since 2 April 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24713/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since May 2008 to the State boards or other agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29473/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the names of the persons appointed since May 2008 to State boards and agencies for which his Department is responsible. [32337/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, together.

From 1 April 2008 to date, two appointments were made to the board of the National Economic and Social Council, with Mr. Tom Parlon of the Construction Industry Federation replacing Mr. Liam Kelleher, the outgoing director general of the CIF, and Ms Siobhán Masterson of IBEC replacing Ms Aileen O'Donoghue; one appointment was made to the National Economic and Social Forum, with Senator Maria Corrigan replacing Deputy John Curran; and three appointments were made to the council of the National Centre for Partnership and Performance on which Mr. Dermot Curran, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, replaces Mr. John Walsh, Mr. Brendan Duffy, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Finance replaces Mr. Ciarán Connolly, and Ms Mary Connaughton, head of HR development at IBEC, replaces Mr. Gavin Marie.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will appointments by the Taoiseach be made on the basis of merit rather than friendship, as his predecessor outlined in the House? It is often difficult to get good people to serve on State boards due to the angst they may experience. Those who wish to do public service are sometimes reluctant to take up positions on State boards. Will the appointments by the Taoiseach be made on the basis of merit and qualification as distinct from party membership or friendship?

The Fine Gael Party has published a detailed Bill on public appointments and transparency which would allow for persons to be appointed as chairpersons of State boards or public agencies to come before the relevant Oireachtas committee, not for an interrogation but to outline the reasons they believe they have a contribution to make to public life and the board or agency to which they are to be appointed. Does the Taoiseach support this concept given that his predecessor stated he would like to involve the House in appointments of that nature and the Minister for Finance only last week indicated it could be useful to give some thought to involving committees of the House in appointments to some boards. He was, I admit, not referring to all such appointments but to those of chairpersons or chief executives of important boards or agencies. Does the Taoiseach share the view that it would improve public perception to allow such individuals to make a case in public to an Oireachtas committee by setting out their view of the contribution they could make? Would the Taoiseach support my party's Bill if we were to move it or does he intend to draft and produce legislation on behalf of the Government which would give rise to the position I have described?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not know if the Bill has been published, but I have not studied or considered it. If the Minister for Finance made some comments last week which were for consideration or reflection, that is fine. I have no problem with such consideration or reflection.

Appointments to boards are made on the basis of the knowledge, expertise and experience individuals can bring to the work of a board. Knowing me is not a disadvantage or an advantage.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not questioning that.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are many more people I do not know personally than people I do know whom I have appointed to boards. One needs a good balance of representatives on boards, which involves not only technical knowledge of the area but also people who are involved in public administration, have a commitment to public service and who should agree to serve out of a sense of public duty rather than any monetary considerations. From my point of view, all the appointments I have ever made to boards, in whatever capacity I have served, have been on the basis of those who were available and those I considered were best suited in respect of the skills mix that was represented on an existing board at the time. There are also issues in regard to representation of women on State boards; the gender issue must also be respected. Many appointments are made on the basis of nomination, by relevant groups, such as the social partners. Various instances and circumstances apply in different situations, depending on the vacancy and the circumstances in which it was created.

I agree it is important we get people of good calibre to serve on our State boards. They are important. Many of them operate important functions and, in some cases, they are big commercial enterprises. It is important we get such people to serve on them. If we were to do what is suggested, it would involve some indication of how — in anticipation of vacancies arising or in the event of new boards being due to be appointed — it might be open to relevant committees of the House to bring in existing members or chief executives of boards and ask them what is considered to be the type of people or what areas of expertise the board would benefit from in the context of emerging vacancies.

In regard to the idea of having to have parliamentary scrutiny before appointment to boards, we would want to be careful we do not compromise the independence of them in the exercise of their function once appointed. Sometimes, with respect, there can be a partisan debate around those issues which is never helpful. It provides some populace grandstanding for some. That can happen on any side of the House by any committee member. It is important we find a balance between trying to ensure we get the best possible calibre of people available and at the same time do not subject them to a level of political scrutiny, in some senses, that might undermine their ability to carry out their tasks subsequently because of some perhaps unjustified criticism that cannot be withdrawn before the appointment is made.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Given the short time remaining for dealing with this group of questions, I will take one supplementary each from Deputies Gilmore and Ó Caoláin and I will see if there is time available then for Deputy Flanagan to ask a question.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will make this point before those Deputies ask their questions. I am not in any way questioning the importance of knowing the Taoiseach or any appointments he has made. I am turning the point the other way in that I believe it would be in their interest and in the interest of service to public life that persons appointed as chairpersons or chief executives should be able to come before Dáil committees and explain their views as to the contribution they could make. It would not be an interrogative business but it would add to the status of the way they want to serve public life in that sense. The Bill has merit from that perspective.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I call Deputy Gilmore and the Taoiseach can reply at the end to the group of questions.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Taoiseach agree with the statement made by the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, who said there is a need to clean-up the process by which people are appointed to public office and that there is a need to end the possibility of putting friends in high places? Will the Bill which the Green Party brought before the House last March 12 months, which the Labour Party supported, the purpose of which was to provide for an independent, merit-based system of making appointments to State boards, or anything like it, be brought before the House by the Government in the lifetime of this Dáil?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Returning to my earlier question, did the former Taoiseach make any appointments to State boards in the period from the announcement of to the date of his resignation? Did he consult the current Taoiseach — who was Taoiseach designate at the time — on his views regarding any such appointments?

I have not had the same opportunity as previous speakers to put questions to the Taoiseach. However, will he note my view that the relevant Oireachtas committees should be charged with scrutinising appointments to State boards?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach engaged in a rather lengthy reply on this question. I put it to him that in effect he is stating that, all other things being equal, party supporters or members will get the nod ahead of others. I remind him that the two recent lay vacancies relating to the solicitors' disciplinary tribunal were filled not by Fianna Fáil supporters but by two of its councillors. Does the Taoiseach consider this to be sending out a message in respect of transparency?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. I do not support the Deputy's contention regarding all things being equal. I have never approached an issue relating to a State board on that basis. I do not believe such criteria are necessary or should be used. If the Deputy wishes to check the position, he may discover that I have appointed far more non-party members than anyone on the benches opposite did when in government. I do not regard that as the issue. What is important is whether people are competent, have a level of expertise and are available to serve. It is not a question of what might be their party affiliations. I accept that the latter can be a consideration in some respects. However, the fact that a person supports or is a member of a political party does not disqualify them. We must be careful not to suggest that if someone is a member of a party, this makes him or her incapable of holding office with integrity.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is all——

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The point was made about two local authority members serving on a State board. Should the fact that these individuals are councillors be held against them? I do not understand that mentality, particularly when one considers that the people in question are members of our profession. Every case should be taken on its merits. If a person has anything for which to answer, he or she should do so.

We all expect high standards but let us not subscribe to the culture where if a person is member of this profession, at local or any other level, he or she should be disqualified from serving on a board. I contend that amendments were tabled by Deputy Charles Flanagan's party, in this and the Upper House, which suggested that this proposal should not be adopted as a principle in respect of appointments to State boards. Let us be consistent in what we are trying to achieve.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Consistent all right, particularly in appointing members of Fianna Fáil.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There must be public confidence regarding the appointment of boards and their competency in respect of the way they conduct their affairs. That is important.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is no such confidence.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are many who make contentions to the contrary. Perhaps the Deputy has a number of particular boards in mind. I recall an instance that might be regarded as enhancing transparency when, out of a political compromise, a judicial appointments board was put in place. That happened when I was a member of a previous Government. The need to appoint the board arose out of a political imperative and not on foot of the merit of the case itself.

One can put in place all the architecture of transparency and independence one likes and people can have a view on whether it is the most effective or independent way of doing things. I do not intend to denigrate the relevant board, I am merely making the point that the type of transparent model to which I refer arose out of a political compromise on a completely different issue.

It is important that people who are appointed should serve out of a sense of public duty. They should also serve competently and should take their responsibilities seriously. I take the point that there is a need to ensure that public confidence is upheld in respect of these appointments. However, I do not agree, without sufficient evidence to the contrary, with suggestions to the effect that people in particular categories are less than fit to be appointed to office. As is the case with Members of the Oireachtas, let their conduct and record in office dictate whether they are suitable.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All the more reason for Oireachtas scrutiny.