David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I like what I have heard and I congratulate the panel on accepting the position. This is new for all of us. We are running the rule over it and feeling our way somewhat. Thus far, the process has been transparent. We have seen the heads of the Bill and we have engaged with NGOs and others. We sought submissions and so on. It was refreshing for all of us to have this engagement. This is a further step along the road today and it has been refreshing.

Reference has been made to the role of Parliament and the Belgrade principles. I have read the principles and they are rather progressive. They represent an exciting development for the Parliament as well.

Since this committee was formed the Minister for Justice and Equality has been sending us heads of Bills and draft Bills. This is a new process for us. It is exciting and we are getting a great deal more work. We do not complain because this is what we are here to do. We should be a part of the legislative process at an early stage and at all stages rather than having a Bill presented as a fait accompli, which was the case in the past. This is new and exciting.

It is important that the process is transparent and is seen to be transparent. I agree with my colleagues who congratulated those on the panel for standing aside when there was a doubt. We do not want to have doubts arising at any stage, especially at a later stage when the panel is doing the important work of appointing commissioners. That should be done without a shadow of a doubt. I am satisfied, as are my colleagues, that this will be the case, because the members of the panel are independent individuals and they have shown themselves to be part of an independent panel. This is what we want and I speak for the committee when I say as much. I congratulate the panel in this regard.

I am also pleased with the notion of spreading the net as wide as possible, to use the term of the Ombudsman. As a result of this process there will be a public awareness of the commission, which is important. Professor Quinn noted that human rights belongs to the people. It would be useful if the panel could raise awareness of the work of the commission, its role and formulation. There is a danger of commissions becoming somewhat elite and the ordinary person may believe he or she cannot engage because those involved are so important with the title of "Commissioner". We should watch out for this and it should not be allowed to happen.

I wish to ask Professor Quinn about one remark which I found intriguing. He referred to the idea of placing a floor beneath regression. Will you expand on this?