Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to follow up on Senator Mark Daly's interesting contribution. With regard to fairness and transparency in making appointments, I refer to a position advertised - an Irish member of the Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I hope the media report on this issue. The closing date for the receipt of nominations is 3 July, at noon. The nomination process is interesting. Selection will be based on an examination of the applications received and a short list of the most suitable candidates will be placed before the Minister for consideration. The Minister may, at her discretion, consider and select additional persons not on the list. That is real transparency as far as the Government is concerned. As a member of the Council of Europe, I will maintain a watching brief on the way the position is filled. It has to be filled in a fair and equitable way. The curriculum vitae field does not have a section on the political party to which the applicant is affiliated, whether it be Fine Gael or the Labour Party. That is the usual requirement in how all appointments are made. They must have declined to include it in this application form.

It is for a four-year period and is a very prestigious position.