Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is a very good question. It will be a matter for the House itself to determine. I imagine that people will look at the composition of a committee. For instance, as with the jury system, if a person is of the view that the proposed member might not be objectively impartial and would put any finding of the committee or the work of the committee at risk of challenge in the courts, this would be determined by the Oireachtas. I presume there would be a discussion with the person in the first instance. If the person wished to proceed, then there would be a decision of the House. If the decision of the House is that the person is not biased but some third party is of the view that bias exists, then it will be a decision for the courts.