Labour hits out at former Fianna Fáil TD's watchdog role

Labour has criticised the Government’s appointment of former Fianna Fáil TD Michael Smith to the Dail’s standards watchdog.

Party leader Eamon Gilmore claimed former Labour TD Liam Kavanagh was replaced by Mr Smith on the Standards in Public Office Commission without any consultation with the Opposition.

Mr Gilmore also claimed the Taoiseach misled him on the issue in the Dáil when he said no decision had been made.

The Dun Laoghaire TD said during today’s Order of Business: “I object strongly to the fact that there has been no consultation on this matter.

“It is wrong of the Government to seek to appoint one of its own to the Standards in Public Office Commission without consulting the Opposition parties and to have proceeded with the making of the appointment without bringing it before the House.”

Minister for Finance Brian Cowen said Mr Kavanagh had completed his six-year term on the Commission. He said he wasn’t aware that prior consultation with the Opposition was required.

He added: “No one would quibble with the suitability of former TD Michael Smith for such an appointment given his record in the House and the esteem in which he was held by TDs present and past.”

Mr Cowen said the appointment would go before the Dáil next week for approval.

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton said he agreed with Mr Gilmore that the position should be filled through the proper procedures.

Mr Cowen later said he rejected the suggestion that a former Fianna Fáil TD could not the job as well as any other TD.