asked the Taoiseach the guidelines which exist in relation to Government appointments to State boards; and if a maximum age limit applies.

Guidelines in relation to Government appointments to the boards of commercial State-sponsored bodies were approved by the previous Government in November 1986. These guidelines cover the competence of appointees, consultation with the chairman of the board concerned and having Ministers meet with new board appointees. The Government in December 1973 established 70 years of age as the normal upper age limit for persons to be appointed to boards of State-sponsored bodies.

Is the upper age limit of 70 years still in operation? Where a new chairman is to be appointed — a person who is not a member of the board — what consultations take place with board members?

As far as I am aware the age limit of 70 is adhered to. I am not aware of any deviation from that rule. I do not know exactly what is the import of the Deputy's question, but it is the duty and the right of the Government to appoint chairmen to State companies.

I accept from what the Taoiseach says that the age limit is being enforced, and obviously it is the privilege and the duty of the Government to make appointments. In relation to the recent appointment of a new Chairman to Irish Life — as the Taoiseach says, the precedent was that discussions would take place with the chairman in relation to appointments, or with board members — what negotiations took place with anybody in relation to this appointment? Is it not quite unusual to appoint an elderly man, to say the least — I do not want to be derogatory about the person appointed — to the chairmanship of a very important large financial institution in the semi-state area?

The Deputy is referring to a specific matter—

Absolutely.

——which is worthy of a particular question.

No negotiations took place, nor indeed would anything in the nature of negotiations be appropriate in the circumstances. The Government are quite satisfied that the former Governor of the Central Bank is the ideal person to assume the responsibilities of chairmanship of this very important financial institution.

Could I——

Ceist 2.

These are matters which should be more properly addressed to the Minister for Finance.

A final question.

Can I take it that the Government were not satisfied with the performance of the former chairman, who after many years of service was rather ungracefully shifted from the position?

The former chairman had already indicated his wish to resign from the office, and while I am at it, I will clear up another matter——

But not from the board.

Yes, from the board and from the chairmanship. You will not be able to stir up anything on this one.

While I am at it, I might as well point out that the other appointment was made by the Government specifically because there was no woman member on that board.

Ceist 2.

With respect, a Cheann Comhairle——

Sorry, I am going on to another question. I have allowed the Deputy a lot of latitude on this question.

The Taoiseach has made what I consider to be a very unfair remark. As a Deputy I am entitled to ask questions in this House and I will continue to do so. If the Taoiseach happens to be sensitive to some questions——

The Deputy is making a statement.

——that will not stop me from asking questions in this House.

It was the Deputy's colleague to whom I addressed my remarks.

And I will continue to ask questions as well.

Question No. 2 has been called.

I have no problem in answering questions from Deputy Spring, which are clearly always responsible.

Let us have order for Question No. 2, please.

It is the beginning of the privatisation of Irish Life, and you want to go about it surreptitiously again.