Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. When I have finished, I will ask Ms Luddy to come in on exactly the e-tendering process that will be used. In preparing for the review, I consulted with a wide group of people, including Oireachtas Members, service providers and civil society. What came back strongly across the board was an ask for an independent chair. Often the advice I have is that if the operation of legislation is being looked at, typically the line Department would take that on and it would be considered a normal part of its job. Departments have the competency required to investigate legislation. However, based on the feedback I got across the board from Oireachtas Members, including members of this committee, civil society and service providers seeking an independent chair and given the unique nature and context of this Act, I took a decision to do that.

I then received advice that, due to the costs involved, a public procurement process is required. When the Attorney General is asked to do a piece of work, he and his staff are public servants and, therefore, do it in the normal course of work. Here we are hiring someone from outside to do the work. Given the expected quantum of money involved, the advice I got was that a tendering process was required. I have seen some excellent candidates who tick the boxes in the meaningful way we have talked about in terms of legal expertise and a rights-based approach to the issue.

On the technicalities of what is coming next, I ask Ms Luddy to give an update.