Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am of two minds on this, but I am inclined not to support the amendment. I might think differently were the period longer, for example, a renewable five-year term, but even a total block of six years if reappointed would not be excessively long.

If the commission had six different lay members every three years, their influence within the process might be reduced, given that it would take people some time to get their feet under the table. I will consider the matter again on Report Stage, but I do not support the amendment at the moment.