Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 174 appears to be consequential on amendments Nos. 18 and 20 which we discussed in grouping No. 6 with reference to section 7. I outlined my position during that discussion and it has not changed. I am not in a position to support the amendment. There is nothing in section 55 that would prevent the procedures committee from considering whether proficiency in the Irish language was required or needed for appointment to a particular judicial office. I am, therefore, not inclined to accept the amendment. Even if I was so inclined, I do not believe this is the appropriate section in which to include such a provision since the subsection deals with selection procedures in the statement. Section 55(6), on the other hand, deals with skills and attributes, issues we discussed at length when we discussed amendments included in a previous grouping. That might be a better fit for such a provision. However, I am not minded to accept the amendment.