Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy says, the amendment seeks to extend the commission's amicus curiaefunction to include the Circuit Court, District Court, Labour Court and the Equality Tribunal. This is unnecessary.The commission has the power to assist parties appearing before the Circuit or District Court, or the Labour Court, or the Equality Tribunal. The concept of amicus curiaerelates to the superior courts where issues of constitutional interpretation or importance may arise and it is not relevant to these other courts and tribunals. For that reason, the amendment is opposed.