Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before last year's Cabinet reshuffle, the then Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, appointed a by-election candidate and a former Fine Gael Deputy to Bord na Móna. That is just once instance. I will touch on the issue of appointments to North-South implementation bodies because it has been brought up. I do not want to be misrepresented. These bodies were established under the implementation bodies agreement of 8 March 1999 between the British and Irish Governments. It is agreed by all parties mandated to the North-South Ministerial Council from the Executive and the Irish Government. All political parties, including the Labour Party and Fine Gael, have a say in those appointments. That is how appointments to implementation bodies happen.