Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I am sure the Leader did not get a watch. Does the Leader agree that we need to review the entire procedure for appointments to semi-State bodies in light of this latest incident highlighted in the Aer Rianta case? In fairness to Senator Ross, he referred to the matter in this House last year and we had a good debate. This House has some role to play in putting forward a reform procedure for appointments to these bodies. I point out to the Leader that, as she well knows, in the dying days of a number of Cabinet careers, 73 appointments were made in the last two weeks by five Ministers. Is this what we really need for our semi-State sector?

Does the Leader agree that a full debate on the question of the accession or otherwise of Turkey into the EU would be timely and useful? There are many voices in this House opposed to that proposition. A debate on this issue is required as is a full report from the Minister for Foreign Affairs as to the position of the Government in respect of these accession talks.