John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I reassure Senator Harris and others that it is the stated policy of Fine Gael, with regard to these appointments, that there is provision for an interview before Oireachtas committees. I echo the calls of Senators Fitzgerald and Coghlan that, at this 11th hour, the Government refrains from stuffing the State boards and different agencies with political appointments and cronies. This kind of politics has mushroomed in the past 12 years when we saw a substantial growth in the number of State bodies to which appointments can be made. It is unseemly and I ask the Government to refrain from it before the election takes place.

On the issue of this morning's decision by the European Court of Human Rights, I understand that the court has upheld the right of one of the applicants to an abortion based on her medical need, which is based on the decision in the X case a number of years ago. In that case, in interpreting the Irish Constitution, it was decided that if there was a real and substantive threat to the life of a woman, she is entitled to an abortion under our Constitution. That is the logic used by the European Court of Human Rights. That is already the constitutional position in this country. I agree with Senator Harris that this issue should not be used politically in the next few months but perhaps it could be cleared up legislatively. Our Constitution already provides for this. This morning's judgment is a confirmation of the position as it exists.

I echo the sentiments of Senator Paddy Burke, who asked for a discussion on the funding of local authorities. In the past ten years, a number of items of legislation have been introduced in this House with regard to how local authorities operate, how they are funded and how they are structured. We have seen a proliferation of directors of services and extra remuneration for top management in local authorities while the functions they provide have been stripped back because funding has been cut. It seems that the reforms of the past ten years have not worked in local government. We must go back to a much fairer and older system of local authority management in this country. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate at the earliest possible opportunity in the new year.