John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I agree it is important that people with expertise are appointed to boards, where possible. This expertise can take the form of expert knowledge on a given subject but can also take the form of common sense, which is often the most important ingredient in decisions boards take. It would be unprecedented for the Government to set up a committee system to vet members of the National Tourism Development Authority and an extraordinary step to do it with regard to one board and not to others.

I take issue with those who say that appointments to important boards such as this are purely political. I recently made appointments to a number of State boards. It would be unfair to name the boards concerned but those appointed are not of my political persuasion and have tremendous knowledge in the areas concerned. A mix is important but this is not the way to go as it would create wrangles. I do not mean the authority to be some kind of honours system and I assure the House it will not be.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 11 not moved.