In November 2010 Fine Gael published a document, Reinventing Government, which states "We want to introduce a new system of public appointments in which positions are advertised". Deputy Leo Varadkar said back then that this is part of our new political plan and at the same time he called for a moratorium on appointments to State boards and public bodies. I call for a moratorium now and ask Leo not to be a hypocrite. He too should stop-----

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

I am calling on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport not to be a hypocrite because if what is happening now was wrong at the time, it is wrong today. It is blatant, shameful, disgusting cronyism of the highest order. It is jobs for the boys and girls but not many for the girls and should stop. I remind Senators opposite of what is stated in the programme for Government, to which Fine Gael and the Labour Party signed up: vacancies for paid directorships on public boards will be advertised on the website, yet we see evidence of cronyism. Yesterday 64 voluntary and community organisations had their budgets cut and staff were let go. Three staff members were let go from the Irish Deaf Society. That is shameful. Ministers are too busy packing State boards and cutting funding to voluntary organisations; they are cutting funding for those that represent the most vulnerable. This is a stark example of those on the inside versus those on the outside. Why are budgets being cut? Ministerial office holders, like Leo-----

The Senator should refer to him as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is too busy stuffing State boards. Ministers are not paying attention to their budgets. My colleague, Senator John Crown, has called for the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to stay in his current position. I would like him to come into the House before he goes anywhere else to explain the shambles in the Department of Health. We have seen the medical card disaster and the budget overrun by €158 million by May this year. We have seen appointments to State boards under the Minister's Department, with one person appointed because he was a good footballer for his county. Surely that is not a qualifying criterion for appointment to any State Board. The Department of Health is in a shambles and as a result 64 voluntary and community organisations have had their funding cut.

In 2010 the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Taoiseach said there would be a new political plan and a democratic revolution - real reform is what they promised. In the past six months only 12 Bills have passed through both Houses, the worst performance of any Government in a generation. Deputy Enda Kenny promised openness and transparency.

He is the Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach promised openness and transparency.

The Senator is over time. Does he have a question for the Deputy Leader?

I seek a debate on openness and transparency. Last Thursday Senator Paul Coghlan promised openness and transparency on the part of the British Government in the case of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. He might inform the House how he is getting on. Last Friday in The Guardian there was a special report on the Ballymurphy massacre in which ten unarmed civilians were shot in the space of 36 hours by the Parachute Regiment.

Does the Senator have a question for the Deputy Leader? He is way over time.

Yes, I have. I am looking for a debate on openness and transparency. While we can all name Jean McConville, the mother of ten who was abducted and murdered-----

Does the Senator have a question for the Deputy Leader?

Yes; it is related to the need for openness and transparency, on which I am looking for a debate.

The Senator can raise these issues during the debate.

I challenge the Members opposite to name the mother of eight who was shot in Ballymurphy by the Parachute Regiment. When Senator Paul Coghlan is attending the British Embassy tea party this summer, instead of asking for more cake, he might ask for the truth.

I hope I am invited to a tea party, to whichever one the Senator is referring. I am sure he knows all about cronyism. Let it be stated the Government was the first ever to give members of the public the opportunity to apply for positions on State boards. Departments will continue on their websites to invite expressions of interest in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis. This process has increased the pool of talent available and allowed the Government to target specific skills sets in filling vacancies on State Boards.

All Fine Gael members.

Senator Paul Coghlan to continue, without interruption

Unlike all previous Governments, the Government has cast the net much wider in seeking talent to serve on State boards.

From the party membership.

I challenge the Members opposite to name anybody whom they believe is not qualified to fill a position for which he or she has been proposed or is filling on a State Board. I will leave it to the Deputy Leader who I am sure will respond more fully on the issue.

We have talked about the local elections results already.

The local elections are over. We must look ahead.

As the Senator asked and to be helpful to him-----

Will the Senator, please, resume his seat?

-----the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, said some of the people he had appointed-----

The Senator has made his contribution already.

I know, but Senator Paul Coghlan was challenging us to give information. I just wanted to be helpful to Senator Coghlan.

Will the Senator, please, resume his seat? Does Senator Paul Coghlan have a question for the Deputy Leader?

I actually do not. I was going to raise something else, but in view of the interruption, I will deal with it tomorrow.