Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister will revert to me on the specific issues, but I am disappointed with his reply. He stated that the Department of the Taoiseach set up this group of advisers. Last week I asked the Taoiseach if he was satisfied with this five-member group and he said he was. I have read into the record pertinent reasons demonstrating how two of them are totally unsuitable for the role.

The Minister stated that the assembly would represent where Ireland is at at the moment. I do not wish to be in any way disrespectful to the Minister, who is a Dublin-based Deputy, but, sadly, he is mistaken if he thinks disallowing 11 counties from having any representative is a fair representation of Ireland. To me, that is downright insulting. It is pedantic and silly of the Minister to say it. How could he? What about the good people of Tipperary, Kerry, the mid west and the south? These people vote and are actively involved in the political system. Do we want to turn off the tap on them? We cannot do that. I put it to the Minister that the Taoiseach has not answered the question. I have the greatest respect for Ms Justice Laffoy, who has a hard job to do, as well as those who have been selected for the assembly. However, we cannot have a flawed selection process that left 11 counties with no representation, including my county of Tipperary.

The Minister said that there are not many people in Ireland with the relevant experience and influence. How well the two who had experience in several were picked. Prominent and particularly relevant among Professor Madden's activity is-----

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