LABOUR LEADER Eamon Gilmore has criticised the procedures for the selection of a new comptroller and auditor general, demanding input into the process to find a successor to John Purcell, who retires next month.
Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said at a meeting on Wednesday that the outgoing comptroller, the State's financial watchdog, had "outlined to me the outcome of interviews which had taken place for that post".
Following that discussion he intended to be in touch with Opposition party leaders "to explain the outcome of that meeting, to see whether we can provide a candidate arising from that".
Mr Gilmore asked if this meant the post was not being advertised. "Does this mean that a process of selection is already under way?"
He stressed that it was a constitutional appointment, not an internal one. "This is an important and sensitive position. There has been no public advertising of the post, and it has been asked about here on a number of occasions."
He said that in the Dáil on Tuesday "the Taoiseach seemed to think that this was an appointment which was in the gift of the Government, and that it would not arise until July. Now we are being told that some type of selection process is under way."
Mr Cowen stressed that "the same process is being adhered to now as previously".
He pointed out that "expressions of interest were sought as to who might be interested in taking up the post", and he would discuss the matter further with the leaders of the Opposition parties.
Mr Gilmore asked how and where the expressions of interest were sought.
When the Leas Cheann Comhairle Brendan Howlin said they could not have a debate on it then, the Labour leader said the appointment had to come before the Oireachtas before May 14th, and "unless we get some clarity on what is going on here, the consensual support which is normal for this type of appointment will not be forthcoming from my party".
