Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. A number of weeks ago the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, appointed two friends to the Climate Change Advisory Council. This was despite a recommendation from the Joint Committee on the Environment and Climate Action recommending an open, competitive and transparent process in respect of such appointments. I am sure the Minister is aware, more than most of us in this House, of the need for this given the stroke that he tried to pull in the summer in appointing a former Cabinet colleague to makey-up job. At that time he said lessons needed to be learned from that but they clearly have not been because the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has done it all over again. I am sure the two members appointed are eminently qualified but that does not preclude or take away from the fact that Government appointments should be transparent and open and that has not happened in this instance.

Will the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, come before the House to explain this appointment process?

I am sure there will be an opportunity to ask the Minister his rationale in the context of these appointments. My understanding is that both of these individuals are eminently qualified for the job they are being asked to do. I am sure the Minister will give full details of the basis of that decision and how it came about.