Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Amendment No. 124 from the Minister states: "The Advisory Council shall be independent in the performance of its functions.” I accept this goes some of the way in that this is being hard-wired into the legislation and it seems a genuine effort to deal with the issue. I believe it will ensure the level of independence that is required.

See this speech in context