Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I have listened with respect to what has been an important and substantive debate, particularly to the views of Deputy Shatter, who has a reputation as a legal and constitutional expert, and to those of other Members, including one or two with a legal background.

Contrary to what was insinuated at the beginning, and at the risk of my falling into what the Taoiseach calls the trap of denial, I submit I am not socially most familiar with judges, with the possible exception of three, whom I knew long before they became judges. One was a former Oireachtas Member and member of the Labour Party.

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