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Everyone’s talking about…
Tánaiste Joan Burton is facing a motion of no confidence today.
The motion is being put forward by Independent Alliance TDs after it emerged Burton appointed former union boss David Begg as chair of the Pensions Authority. There was no public service advertising or appointments process. The move is allowed under state board guidelines, but opposition TDs have attacked the Tánaiste over it.
Today the Irish Daily Mail reports that Burton appointed a second person to a state position using the same rule. The newspaper states that in June Burton appointed Ita Mangan as chair of the Citizens Information Board for a period of five years, without advertising the post.
The Mail also reports that other ministers – including Richard Bruton and Gerald Nash – have used the same exemption to make state appointments.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Communications Minister Alex White defended his Labour colleague. He said Burton didn’t break any rules when she made the appointment.
I haven’t heard any credible challenge to the qualifications of David Begg. He is eminently well suited and well qualified for this position.
White said cronyism existed in the past when people who were “manifestly unsuited” were appointed to roles.
Speaking on the same programme, Independent Alliance TD Shane Ross said Burton is acting within the rules, but the rules in question are “appalling” and a breach of pre-election promises made by Fine Gael and Labour.
Begg will come before an Oireachtas committee to discuss if he is suitable for the job, but Ross said this is largely pointless as the committee has a government majority who will likely back Begg.
Ross said history has shown that “insiders” and supporters of the government of the day get these type of jobs.
“This is going to go on and on and on,” he said.
Speaking at the launch of the motion at Buswells Hotel in Dublin this morning, Finian McGrath described the appointments made directly by Burton to state boards amounts to “blatant cronyism”.
Ross added that in the debate he will ask that the government “does not indulge itself in an orgy of farewell appointments” on state boards and in the judiciary.
ELECTION 2016
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The agenda
What the others are saying
In case you missed it
Good day for…
Bernie Sanders: The Vermont Senator continues to put pressure on Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, giving a strong performance in the last debate before voting starts in Iowa. Sanders was praised for taking the high road and refusing to attack Clinton over her husband Bill's affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Bad day for…
Junior Minister Paudie Coffey: He has come under fire for the government's housing policy and strategy to tackle homelessness after an RTÉ documentary revealed the poor living standards many families face in emergency accommodation.
Originally published: 9am
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