Watchdog calls for transparent public body appointments

CONCERNS were raised again yesterday regarding government appointments to powerful public bodies.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said there needed to be “open and transparent” recruitment procedures to well-paid public positions.

Their call comes after the appointment of a recently retired senior public servant as the new chairman of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Last week, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern announced Dermot Gallagher would replace Justice Kevin Haugh, who died the previous week. Mr Gallagher only retired as secretary general to the Department of Foreign Affairs last month. During his term of office (2001-2007), he worked under Mr Ahern when he was foreign affairs minister.