Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the differing views and amendments from the various party groupings, all of which refer to the non-legal or lay members of the commission. If we were to increase the lay membership, having regard to the fact that the committee has already deleted the reference to the involvement of committees, it is important that there be a mix of people chosen by the Public Appointments Service and nominated by specific nominating bodies. We need to give this issue further consideration following the removal of the committee structure. Between now and Report Stage we should consider how best we can accommodate a Public Appointments Service group, on the one hand, and, on the other, the importance of maintaining a reference to the power of nominating bodies to make appointments. There is not that much between us in what we want to achieve, yet in the context of the deliberations and debate in which there are differing amendments, it appears difficult to find common ground. With a little breathing space between now and Report Stage we might be in a position to do so. We have to do so against a background in which the committees have been removed.

The import of many of the amendments we are dealing with now is against the background of the Bill, including that committee as well as the commission process.