Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I attended the MacGill Summer School in Glenties this summer where we discussed the political culture in this country and how until it changes there will be no change. If one examines the appointment of Mr. McNulty to the board of IMMA, the appointment of Mr. Quinlivan to the board of Irish Water and subsequently as a driver to a Minister of State, what strikes me is that the people concerned saw nothing wrong with it. There is a mix-up in their understanding of governance, particularly in the situation with Mr. Quinlivan. The culture is rotten. Will the Leader ask each Minister to produce a list of all their board appointments and who recommended each one? I realise there have been different practices and some have been through advertisements, but some have been through recommendations. We need a clean sheet. While I accept what the Minister, Deputy Howlin said, we need an end to this, so let us have it all out and get it over with. I would like the Leader to respond to my request.

Yesterday, I said 10 October will be a test for the Government. Some people have voted for Mr. McNulty even though he has said he does not want people to vote for him and he is withdrawing. If he wins, and the election is declared invalid, and Fine Gael then produces a candidate who can win, it will also look very bad. Yesterday, the Taoiseach said Fine Gael’s behaviour showed we are not worthy of winning the seat. He should remember those words.