Larkin appointment - Ahern move encourages cronyism

GOOD governance should be about the use of power in a measured way, reflecting a well thought out approach to decision making.

As revealed now, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s highly controversial nomination of Celia Larkin to the board of the National Consumer Agency appears to have been anything but considered.

In fact, according to internal government documentation, it amounted to an impromptu decision which involved no internal consultation whatever at official level.