Ross says Coalition's pledge to end cronyism has 'completely evaporated'

INDEPENDENT TD Shane Ross has called for a transparent system covering Government appointments.

“The promises made by both parties in power during the general election campaign about an end to cronyism completely evaporated in the programme for government,’’ he said.

He added that 20 recent appointments to semi-State bodies had been given to people closely linked to Fine Gael and Labour, while five out of six judges had similar links.

He said the system set up by the Government, which was to encourage and invite public applications for appointment to semi-State bodies, appeared to be a sham because the Minister in charge had the power to make an appointment and did not have to take any notice of the applications or recommendations made.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the Government had changed the Top Level Appointments Commission which was responsible for the majority of senior appointments to the Civil Service.

A system had been introduced whereby any person could make an application or express an interest in appointment to a State board, he added.

The chairpersons of State boards also appeared before an Oireachtas committee.

Mr Gilmore insisted that all the Government’s appointments were based on merit.

Ultimately, however, the decision on appointments to State boards and bodies was a matter for the Government.

“The Government will exercise that power and will stand over decisions made by it in that regard,’’ he added.

Mr Ross said the current system was cosmetic.

“Ministers are in many cases advertising positions but once replies have been received and recommendations made, he or she can ignore them,’’ he added.

Mr Gilmore said that Mr Ross was a former Fine Gael public representative.

“That does not compromise his independence here nor does it, I presume, compromise his independence in writing for a Sunday newspaper,’’ he added.