I would like to follow up on Senator Mark Daly's interesting contribution. With regard to fairness and transparency in making appointments, I refer to a position advertised - an Irish member of the Council of Europe committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I hope the media report on this issue. The closing date for the receipt of nominations is 3 July, at noon. The nomination process is interesting. Selection will be based on an examination of the applications received and a short list of the most suitable candidates will be placed before the Minister for consideration. The Minister may, at her discretion, consider and select additional persons not on the list. That is real transparency as far as the Government is concerned. As a member of the Council of Europe, I will maintain a watching brief on the way the position is filled. It has to be filled in a fair and equitable way. The curriculum vitae field does not have a section on the political party to which the applicant is affiliated, whether it be Fine Gael or the Labour Party. That is the usual requirement in how all appointments are made. They must have declined to include it in this application form.

It is for a four-year period and is a very prestigious position.

If the Senator applied, he would be out of here and life would be much easier. I will second his nomination.

Senator Leyden without interruption.

Mr. Seán Aylward, the former Secretary General of the Department of justice, was the outgoing member. It is very important that the right candidate be selected on a fair and equitable basis and because he or she is qualified for the position, not because he or she is a card-carrying member of Fine Gael or the Labour Party. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, can prove she is without blemish on her character if she goes ahead with this appointment properly and chooses the person best qualified. I have confidence that she will.

The Senator is way over time.

The Deputy Leader of the House would be ideally qualified to act and I recommend she apply for it because she certainly will get it.

If the Senator is confident, why do we need a big speech?

The Labour Party is not getting a commissionership. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, has been given the job and is on the way to Europe.

The Senator is way over time. He must resume his seat.

I wish him well in his position.

That is irrelevant to today's business.

It is very relevant. It follows up on Senator Daly's statement and I have asked the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister to allow a fair and equitable application process.