Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne for his kind comments. Regarding appointments, I note the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform oversees the Public Appointments Service and all appointments. I will liaise with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, regarding this matter. I fully understand the valid point being made by the Senator. As someone who served for a good length of time on a local council, I know local authority members have so much to give in respect of valuable contributions to the organisations they are members of. One mind-blowing aspect is the number of statutory and non-statutory authorities, and even public participation networks that local authority members interact with, work on and support the activities of to add value to our communities. I will discuss this point with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. It has been raised with me before, so I will continue to work on it and I will respond to the Senator separately in this regard.