Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Deputy Ó Laoghaire's amendments Nos. 13 and 14. I will briefly make reference to section 5, which concerns the review of operation. As we know, the Bill is new, innovative and ground-breaking in the extensive changes it introduces in the process of judicial appointments. We are moving to make an important step forward. This is a very innovative adjustment to the manner in which we deal with such matters. I only have to mention the significant reduction in the number of recommendations that the Government receives and the extension of this system to all judicial appointments, including the further appointment of serving judges. There would be increased lay participation in decision making and a developmental function in the commission.

In a short period following enactment, the landscape will change in a most significant manner. It is worth pointing out that the review arrangements envisaged in section 5 will have close interaction with later provisions in the Bill. I refer specifically to the requirements of section 58, which requires the procedures committee, to which we made considerable reference earlier, to be charged with responsibility to monitor and review the implementation of the Act, having regard to the various factors. That review should be conducted two years after commencement of the section and thereafter from time to time as the commission might request.