Opposition parties have called for a public appointments watchdog after revelations that outgoing ministers of the last Government made 59 appointments last week.
A Sunday newspaper revealed today that five outgoing Fianna Fáil ministers made 59 appointment to semi-State bodies in the weeks before the last administration ended.
Sinn Féin TD, Mr Seán Crowe today said the Dáil should set up a Public Appointments Commission watchdog to oversee recommendations for public service posts such as judges and members of State boards.
The Ireland on Sundayreport said former Minister for Public Enterprise Ms Mary O'Rourke made 14 appointments to semi-state bodies in her last month in office, before she lost her seat election last month.
It said John O’Donoghue, then Minister for Justice, made a total of 13 appointments in the two weeks before he was given the newly-created Arts, Sport and Tourism brief.
Former Marine Minister Mr Frank Fahy, former Environment and Local Government Mr Noel Dempsey and former Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs Mr Dermot Ahern also made a number of appointments to state boards before leaving their respective departments.
Mr Crowe said while the people in question may be able and qualified for the jobs, the manner of the appointments looked like "jobs for the boys - personal patronage with influential public positions".
"There is a very real whiff of feudal times with public titles being handed out by departing rulers," he said.
Fine Gael TD Mr Denis Naughten also condemned the manner of the appointments. He said it was "yet more Fianna Fáil croneyism".
He also called for an independent body which would make appointments to state boards on merit alone.