FG calls for change to appointment procedure

Appointees to high office such as the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner should be subject to questioning at a Dáil committee before their position is confirmed, said Fine Gael.

The call was made as the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, introduced a resolution recommending the appointment of journalist Ms Emily O'Reilly as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner to succeed Mr Kevin Murphy, who retires in June. The resolution was approved without a vote.

Mr McCreevy said the fundamental quality for the job was independence. It had to mean more than freedom from interference or influence by the government of the day. "It has to comprehend the ability to shake off the shackles of one's own strong feelings; to ignore the assumptions of the 'crowd' you come from - be it club, party or professional group - and, should righting wrongs in either job require it, a willingness to upset them."

The Minister said the outgoing commissioner had that "vital streak of real 'without fear, without favour, without embarrassment' kind of independence". Mr Murphy saw his work on behalf of individuals "as a tool which could be used to root out bad practices and so protect the health and well-being of public administration".

He said Ms O'Reilly had a willingness "to say what she sees, even when it means annoying politicians, colleagues and the power structures of the world of journalism". The Government was not proposing her for the posts "because we expect her to give us an easy run". The Government and Opposition leaders "are confident that Ms O'Reilly won't be silent and won't make noise when none is needed".

Fine Gael's finance spokesman, Mr Richard Bruton, believed that like Mr Murphy, Ms O'Reilly had the "tenacity, determination and ability to pursue things relentlessly". But he believed that "people who hold such high office should come before the House or a committee of the House in public hearing before they are appointed so that members have an opportunity to question those who seek to take up important offices of the State".

It was especially important "for an office such as this which is a gift of the citizens as represented in the Oireachtas rather than one of the Government". He said the difficulties "that have characterised the relationship between the executive and the office in recent months must lead us to draw the lesson that there must be greater respect for the Ombudsman as we go forward".

Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, commending both the outgoing and incoming Ombudsman, also believed that "there ought to be some process in place where we could hear the merits of prospective candidates". He regretted that the new Ombudsman, specifically in her role as freedom of information Commissioner was being handed legislation that had "effectively been emasculated".

Labour's finance spokeswoman Ms Joan Burton welcomed Ms O'Reilly's appointment as the State's first "Ombudswoman". It was welcome particularly when there had been a "roll-back" in the appointment of women to State boards and public positions.

Mr Arthur Morgan (SF, Louth) said it was ironic that the Dáil was considering these appointments the day after the Government abused its majority and forced through the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill.