Govt under fire for appointment of party-linked State officials
The Government is under fire over the appointment of Fine Gael and Labour insiders to State boards.
Since coming into office, at least 20 past or present members of either government party, or those with close links to one of the parties, have been given jobs.
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are accusing the Government of engaging in cronyism and failing to end political patronage.
A Government spokesperson says those appointed are eminently qualified for their positions.
However Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald said "cronyism and self-interest has dogged Government since the inception of the State".
“Fine Gael and Labour promised the people root and branch reform in advance of the election," Deputy McDonald said.
"But as today’s reports of recent government party insiders being appointed to State boards reveal, Fianna Fail kicked cronyism into the field but Labour and Fine Gael have now run with it."
