I wish to ask the Leader to arrange time to discuss the question of the membership of semi-State bodies arising from an article in The Sunday Times on 24 February 2013. This coalition Government vowed to end cronyism but State jobs are going to political appointees according to an article by Colin Coyle and Mark Tighe. It is a well-researched article which points out that 32 appointments have been made to State bodies by the Labour Party and 26 by the Fine Gael party. These appointments are totally political.

How many political appointments did Fianna Fáil make?

It is a question of appoint, appoint and disappoint. Fianna Fáil and Independents need not apply. There is no room in the inn as far as they are concerned.

Does Senator Leyden have a question for the Leader?

That is the question I am putting.

I wish to say to my Labour Party colleagues that their manifesto made reference to jobs, reform and fairness. In that regard, the Labour Party and particularly its leader in this House, needs reminding-----

I thank Senator Leyden for that.

-----that it promised to end political cronyism.

I will not take lectures on cronyism from Senator Leyden or Fianna Fáil.

The Labour Party promised to end the system whereby appointments to State boards are used as a form of political patronage and for rewarding insiders. It said that in future appointments to boards must be based on the capacity to do the job. It added that it intended to start that process immediately and to that end, it would reserve the right to seek the resignation of all those appointed to State boards since 22 November 2010. The party promised to publicly advertise all vacancies, invite applications from the public and create a database of citizens who were willing to serve on State boards.

Senator Leyden, do you have a question for the Leader?

That is the point I am making. That is what the Labour Party said but what did it do? It appointed its nominees to State bodies in accordance with the political commitment of the individuals. Fine Gael said that tackling cronyism and featherbedding in politics ---

Senator Leyden, are you looking for a debate on this issue?

He is making a speech.

Yes, I am. It said that vacancies would be advertised on the website of the Public Appointments Service-----

These matters can be raised in the course of said debate.

-----and a short list of qualified applicants would be presented to Ministers to facilitate the transition. That is a lie. Fine Gael lied to the Irish people to get votes. The Government is doing the very opposite of what it promised to do.

I did not think that sort of language was allowed in this Chamber.

Senator Leyden, "lie" is a very strong word to use in this Chamber.

It is accurate. I have explained-----

Senator Leyden, I ask you to withdraw that remark.

No. I have explained-----

Senator Leyden, you know the procedure in this House. That is not parliamentary language.

I explained myself. I know that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, said we should not believe these ould manifestos, that they do not mean anything and are only makey-up things but-----

That is what he said. It's just something parties do before elections.

Senator Leyden, I ask you again to withdraw the word "lie".

It is a political charge.

It is not a political charge.

I did not name any individual. I accused two political parties of lying and I can prove ---

Senator Leyden, please.

-----without fear of contradiction that they lied. They are appointing, appointing and disappointing.

Senator Leyden is way over time. I call Senator Landy.

Every one of the appointments is political.

Many of them did not apply for the positions at all.

The jobs are going to the Labour Party and Fine Gael.

Senator Leyden knows quite well that he is not supposed to display newspapers in the Chamber.

Fine Gael is losing ground because the Labour Party is making more appointments than it is.

Senator Leyden, resume your seat please.

I want a debate on this issue.

Resume your seat, please.

I am glad the Cathaoirleach accepts the fact that "lying" is an appropriate word for lies.

It is not an appropriate word and I have asked the Senator to withdraw it. Senator Landy is next.

I must say it has stood Senator Leyden well. He made it up as he went along for 35 years and is still going strong.

How many boards did he have a stranglehold over?

I am not on any board.