Gilmore criticises decision to appoint Smith

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has criticised a decision by the Government to appoint "one of its own" to the Standards in Public Office Commission, "given everything that is happening".

Mr Gilmore said in the Dáil the appointment should have been discussed with the Opposition before the decision was made to appoint former minister Michael Smith. This was not a reflection on Mr Smith personally, for whom he had the "height of regard".

However, "while it is not a matter of individuals, it is not appropriate for the Government to seek to take the position for one of its own given everything that is occurring".

He said: "My party is manifestly unhappy with the way in which the matter has been handled. If the resolution is introduced and an appointment will be made without agreement, we will have no option but to oppose the resolution," which comes before the House next week.

But Tánaiste Brian Cowen, defending the move, said Mr Smith was "eminently suitable" and capable of doing the job "conscientiously and properly", and discretion as to the appointment remained with the Minister for Finance.

Mr Cowen rejected "the contention that a former member of a government party is less qualified than a former member of another party. There is no logic in that position," and he asked Mr Gilmore to "reflect on whether the resolution should be contested".

Mr Gilmore said that "six years ago there was agreement in the House and former [ Labour] member and minister Liam Kavanagh was appointed to the commission".

The Labour leader said he accepted Mr Cowen's "bona fides" that he had been unaware of the previous procedure of consultation but the legislation required that the appointment be made following a resolution of the House.

The Tánaiste said that even if he had been aware of the previous procedure, he would still recommend Mr Smith for appointment.

He did not believe there was an issue for division of the House and rejected "the suggestion that there is not a former member of my party who could do this job equally as well as its predecessors".

When Mr Gilmore interjected "I did not say that", Mr Cowen insisted "that is the import of what is being said and it is an unfair reflection because former deputy Smith is either suitable or he is not and from what I hear this morning he is eminently suitable".