John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed with what the Minister said. Political squabbling already takes place over appointments to State authorities. Senator O'Rourke does not like the idea of committees looking into nooks and crannies, but appointments to semi-State and State bodies are important and we should look at the American system. The public has a right to know how people are appointed. That is the reason the amendment was tabled. I urge the Minister to depart from standard practice. Someone must depart at some stage or we will never make any progress.