Political appointments - Deathbed power grab unacceptable

WHEN Bertie Ahern, at the height of his considerable pomp, admitted he appointed people to state boards for no reason other than they were his friends it confirmed what had been apparent for a very long time.

People are appointed to bolster the power, to support the interests of parties in government, rather than bring specific expertise to the enterprises involved.

The process shows political patronage at its shabbiest and diminishes the practice of our democracy. Pathetically, some of those who imagine they are being honoured are used as the placemen of a compromised process. It also diminishes the idea of serving on a board and we have seen the tragic consequences of that imprudent oversight over recent years.